June 23rd, 2008

House Majority Leader Bill Deweese (D-Greene) thinks that this year’s budget could be worked out by the July 4th holiday, while other lawmakers fear that negotiations could run past mid-July, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Governor Rendell has proposed a $28.3 billion spending plan – a 4.2 %  increase from last year. Republicans say this increase is not fiscally responsible when the state’s revenue numbers are declining.  Other important debate surrounds how much funding will be allocated to education and statewide construction projects. 

Even so, Deweese thinks that the National Governors Association meeting, July 11-14, in Rendell’s hometown of Philadelphia will push him to reach a deal before then, so as not to be embarrassed in front of other state’s Governors. Also, two very controversial plans, the House-backed PA ABC health insurance plan, and a possible turnpike lease are now going to be debated in September and left ouf of the budget negotiations.