The transportation bill gets on track in the House (sort of) and liquor moves forward in the Senate. Here are the the latest updates from the contentious budget fight.
This is a daily feature PoliticsPA will run until the state budget is passed.
Senate GOP Negotiating on Medicaid: Tuesday members of both parties in the Senate were said to be working on a Medicaid expansion. Republicans stated their willingness to possibly allow for an expansion bill to go forward was a measure of good faith towards their democratic counterparts.
House Republicans Line Up Against Medicaid Expansion: Republican House members mounted a show of force Tuesday intended to convey their willingness to reject a Medicaid expansion that would bring billions in federal funds to Pennsylvania while covering thousands of working people who are uninsured.
McIlhinney’s Liquor Amendments Become Part of Bill: Senate Law and Justice Chairman Chuck McIlhinney’s plan to amend Liquor Reform legislation passed in his committee by a 6 to 5 vote. The Chairman’s amendments are far different than the bill passed by the house, and eliminate provisions for immediate state system privatization.
House Panel Approves Pension Reform: The switch of new state employees over to a 401-K style retirement plan received the support of the House’s State Government Committee who move a Pension Reform bill to the House floor.
House Transpo Committee Head Says Bill is Likely to Pass: After two postponed committee meetings this week, the House Transportation Committee chairman says there is “better than a 50-50 chance” a transportation funding proposal is approved before lawmakers head home for the summer.