HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania lawmakers officially missed Tuesday's midnight deadline to adopt a new state budget, though Republican leadership in the state Senate indicated that a final compromise is within reach.
In a joint statement issued following the deadline, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Majority Leader Joe Pittman, and Appropriations Chair Scott Martin expressed optimism about the current trajectory of negotiations. The leaders stated that they believe they are well on their way to finalizing a full budget agreement in the days immediately following the July 4 holiday.
The decision to adjourn without an agreement drew sharp criticism from legislative Democrats. Members in both the House and Senate lashed out at their Republican colleagues for leaving Harrisburg on Tuesday before a complete spending plan was firmly in place.
This latest impasse marks the fifth consecutive year that Pennsylvania has failed to adopt a state budget by the mandated June 30 fiscal deadline. Over a broader period, lawmakers have now missed the deadline 15 times within the past 23 years.
Despite the public sparring over the delay, leadership from both political parties declined to share specifics regarding the exact policy disputes or funding numbers that are currently holding up a final budget package.
