by KYW's Tony Romeo
Pennsylvania lawmakers on Friday announced a bipartisan deal to end the state’s 73-day budget standoff.
But a key player -– Governor Rendell -– is indicating that he is not on board.
As he announced the deal among Pennsylvania House majority Democrats, Senate majority Republicans, and Senate minority Democrats, House speaker Keith McCall said he wanted to apologize to the people of Pennsylvania -- but not for what Democrats stood for in the budget fight:
“I’m not going to apologize for that. We stood and fought for what we believed in what was right. But I do apologize that it has taken us so long to come together and reach this compromise.”
The budget agreement calls for no increase in broad-based taxes, but there would be a 25-cent-per-pack increase in cigarette taxes, and a delay in the phaseout of a business tax.
There would also be extra revenues from legalizing table games at casinos, such as roulette and blackjack.
Lieutenant governor Joe Scarnati (at lectern in photo), who’s also the top Republican in the state senate, says lawmakers will push ahead even without Governor Rendell’s support:
(Scarnati:) “It’s evident we are scheduling a conference committee to report the agreement out.”
(Romeo:) “Do you have the votes for an override if you need them?”
(Scarnati:) “I don’t think that’s material at this point. We’re moving it out, and we’re going to put it out on the floor, and we’re confident we have the votes to move this budget through the General Assembly.”
Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 for updates on this continuing story.
(Photo by KYW's Tony Romeo)
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