Saturday Budget Buzz: Today Could Be the Day

PA House chamber floor view
The PA House floor

The Senate spent many hours yesterday to push out victories for both parties to enjoy. Medicaid and Liquor had serious forward motion. Today could see a final vote on liquor in the Senate and transportation in the House.

The House and Senate will reconvene at 1pm Saturday.

Here are the latest updates from the contentious budget fight.

Liquor Reform Clears Senate GOP Hurdle: Senators stayed up way past their bedtime to turn out a passing amendment to the Liquor Reform bill. Republicans finally found a proposal that was able to win support from all 27 of its caucus members. The provisions did away with much of what was originally proposed, and the McIlhinney amendment as well. But 2 GOPers said they may not agree to move again until after the House passes a transportation bill.

Medicaid Expansion Passes Senate Committee, House Rs Threaten Veto: Yesterday Afternoon the Senate Health and Welfare committee passed a bill including provisions for the acceptance of Medicaid expansion. 33 House members are in a tizzy about it though, and have pledged to vote down the main budget bill if expansion is a part of it.

Budget Lottery Language Lurking: While House Republicans explore ways to include provisions within the budget enabling Governor Corbett to privatize the PA lottery, organized labor continues to bash them for it.

Corbett’s Wishlist Cut Short: Patriot-News reports that while Transportation and Liquor still have real potential and the budget has a fighting chance to make the Sunday deadline, it looks like Pension Reform is out for the count in this session.

One Response

  1. Hold on to your wallets middle class because the Repubs are gonna raise the price of gas with their increase in gas taxes. Then they’ll be home at their fundraising BBQ’s in August telling their supporters how didn’t raise taxes.

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