Big votes loom in bid to end Pennsylvania budget stalemate
HARRISBURG (AP) – A flurry of crucial votes is on tap in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers scramble to end a state government budget stalemate now in its sixth month.
House votes were possible on major tax and pension legislation during an unusual Saturday session. More votes were expected Sunday, in both the House and Senate.
Wolf’s office says it has enough support from House Democrats and a divided Republican majority to pass a $1 billion-plus tax increase he’s backing to deliver a record increase in public school aid and money to close a long-term budget deficit.
Details of the tax package haven’t been made public.
Senate Republican support for the tax increase hinges on House passage of legislation to restructure pension benefits for state government and public school employees.