PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio, AP) — Pennsylvania’s budget is a week late, but it took a big step Thursday as the state House of Representatives passed a $43 billion plan in a 180-20 vote.
It moves to the state Senate where its fate is a bit murky. Earlier Thursday, Senate Republicans warned talks may be at an impasse.
"There's no deal yet," Republican caucus spokesperson Erica Clayton Wright said. In the Senate, budget bills were being passed Thursday evening but it was unclear whether all the issues in negotiations had been resolved.
Among the highlights listed by legislative leaders in the House, the budget passed in the lower chamber establishes a child care tax credit, significantly increases investment in public schools, funds new environmental programs, and invests $100 million into mental health funding for schools with more earmarked for adults.
Rep. Stan Saylor, R-York, the Appropriations chair, calls it the most comprehensive package he’s seen in quite a while.
“It contains historic tax cuts that make Pennsylvania more competitive [in] job creation, and provides relief to working families and seniors and makes targeted investments in the people of Pennsylvania,” he said.
Saylor added that no one gets everything they want in this budget, but everyone deserves credit.
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“Senate Bill 1100 is exactly the medicine this commonwealth needs to right ourselves, and be the most competitive state in this nation, and to return us to the Keystone State we should be,” he said.
“This is a comprehensive budget that puts the needs of people before the needs of the government. I'm proud to be standing here today in support of this effort,” he said.
Saylor added that fiscal responsibility is allowing investment, and allowing the state to pay off debt.
“We're paying down $2 billion worth of prior budget borrowing,” he added. “We have the money, thanks to the fiscal decisions we have made in this General Assembly. So now we should pay off our bills and pay them on time.”
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Leaders of the majority GOP caucus touted the $42.8 billion spending plan for how it would affect transportation, police and election operations.
"One, it responsibly saves money. Two, it responsibly invests money. And three, while making sure that we're taking care of today, we're also planning for tomorrow," House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said. House Republicans said the plan would leave about $3.6 billion unspent for future needs.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's spokesperson called it a bipartisan deal that increases spending on education and other priorities.
"The governor urges the Legislature to continue to move to get a budget to his desk," Wolf press secretary Beth Rementer said after the House vote.
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The ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Matt Bradford, of Montgomery County, said the budget bill doesn’t give Democrats all they want, but he says it’s fair and responsible.
“Even in divided government, which we have here in the commonwealth, there are opportunities for real bipartisan compromise, and once in a while, sometimes a week late,” he said. “But once in a while, we're able to strike the right balance. This budget, in my opinion, is that balance.”
Bradford said anyone who calls themselves a conservative should take pride in this budget plan as it is “prudent fiscal management” allowing for important, sustainable investments.
“When Gov. Wolf came into office, our rainy day fund was $200,000. After last year, it was $3 billion. After this year, it will be $5 billion,” he added.
“This is a budget of compromise, but there is much here for which we should be proud and thankful.”
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K-12 education spending would go up by more than $500 million, and the state's 100 poorest districts would split an additional $225 million. The plan would also increase subsidies for early childhood education, special education and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
A program that gives tax credits in return for private school tuition would see an increase of 45%, to more than $400 million.
Wolf has agreed to pull charter school regulations that had been approved in March.
On the environment, the framework would spend some $220 million in federal funds to help clean streams, about $150 million to fix up parks and forest land, and more for sewer and water infrastructure, flood control and storm water projects.
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A $45 million expenditure for elections through a state agency would help counties with the costs of voter registration, preparing and administering elections and auditing the results. Private donations to pay for elections would be prohibited.
A child care tax credit would be created, along with more money for a property tax and rent rebate program for seniors and to help lower-income people afford the cost of heating their homes.
The budget would pay for 200 new state troopers and shuffle funding for state police out of a fund that can therefore afford more transportation projects.
The corporate net income tax rate, currently 10%, would drop by one percentage point this year and then be on track for half-point cuts in future years until it would hit 5%.
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