Push on to pass state budget on time
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HARRISBURG -- The countdown is on for state lawmakers and the governor to approve next year's spending plan by the June 30 deadline.
They all agree on one point: After eight years of budget debates that dragged through the summer under former Gov. Ed Rendell, this one has to get wrapped up on time.
But even with Republicans controlling both chambers and the governor's office, there's plenty of details still to negotiate.
Should we spend or save the $540 million that the state so far has collected from rosier-than-expected tax returns? Which of Gov. Tom Corbett's much-contested cuts to education and human services should be restored?
And will the still-green governor hold out on agreeing to more spending until lawmakers promise to move on one of his priorities, like his school voucher bill? Will the veteran lawmakers insist on a shale-drilling impact fee that the governor has yet to support?
Those discussions will begin in earnest this week. The state House approved a budget proposal in late May, turning the spotlight now to their more moderate counterparts in the Senate.
Republican leaders there will be presenting a revised version of the House plan to their members after they return to session Monday. Once they've finalized a Senate GOP plan, negotiations with the governor and other legislative leaders will follow shortly, said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman, R-Centre.
"If all the planets align, I don't see any reason why we can't have a general appropriations bill begin moving the week of the 13th," Mr. Corman said
Senate Democrats have been outlining which programs they believe deserve more funding since before the ink was dry on the House plan's passage. Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, says they're focused on restoring cuts to education, human services and job-creation programs.
That can be done by using "maybe half" of what now is expected to be an additional $600 million from this year's state revenues, Mr. Costa said. He'd like to see between $150 million and $200 million of that added back to funding for school districts and universities.
While the House plan restored half of the proposed 50 percent cuts to the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, members from both Senate caucuses say they'd like to see those schools and the State System of Higher Education colleges take even less of a hit.
Also on the Democrats' funding wish-list is restoring money for school tutoring and dual-enrollment programs, and for services like rape-crisis centers. Republicans, while careful not to get ahead of their caucus discussions this week, point to more aid for rural school districts, as well as funds for hospitals.
First Published June 5, 2011 12:00 am
