HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Budget talks rolled on in Harrisburg with Pennsylvania’s spending plan now eight days past the constitutionally-mandated deadline.
While those close to the talks said they were productive and there was still hope a deal could be reached this week, there was no immediate indication exactly when.
In April, the Democratic majority Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a spending plan in line with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, which included a $1 billion critical infrastructure fund, $100 million to fill federal funding gaps and increased funding for SEPTA.
The GOP-controlled state Senate has not acted on that spending plan. Senate Republicans voted last week to go home for the July Fourth holiday while Senate Democrats urged the chamber to stay to reach a deal.
Talks are ongoing behind closed doors but with no specifics on current sticking points. Senate Republicans have repeatedly said the spending level is too far above projected revenues, while Democrats said the plan invests in Pennsylvania.
They added that Senate Republicans are leaving around $3 billion on the table by not legalizing and taxing adult-use marijuana or regulating gambling machines in bars and gas stations that are referred to as “skill games.”
Senate Republican Leader Joe Pittman said he was highly confident that lawmakers have been on track to reach, in his words, “a responsible budget that will recognize our unique status as a divided government.” He added the Senate would immediately reconvene once a plan is ready to advance.
