Action on property tax relief in Pennsylvania is on hold again, after state House Republican leaders on Wednesday night postponed, until after the primary, action on a compromise bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday.

The bill passed by the Senate would have given the greatest property tax relief to low-income seniors.

The pressure was on some lawmakers to pass a bill before the primary. But the House all along has wanted to go further than the Senate, and Republican leader Sam Smith says that is still the mood of his members:

“The consensus is that there’s still time and there’s the will to do more and to do better.”

But House Democratic whip Mike Veon charged that the Republicans have ‘walked out’ on property tax relief:

“They have been postponing action on property tax reform for 12 years.”

Veon charged that Republicans are delaying a resolution in order to prevent Governor Rendell from making good on his campaign pledge to deliver property tax relief.

Republican leader Smith flatly denies the allegation and says he expects lawmakers will return in June to continue working on the issue.