Pension legislation favored by Senate Republicans lacks support in the House.
Advertisement
Survivors in United States storms thankful to see Christmas
The tornado knocked his house off it’s foundation, but he and six other people survived by dashing into his storm shelter. Tony Goodwin from Linden, Tennessee, said he was grateful to be alive. ‘It’s what Christmas is all about’.
Lawmakers are considering their options amid the wreckage of a deal between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers to end Pennsylvania’s almost six-month budget stalemate.
‘Severe’ flood warnings in parts of UK as Army helps
Residents of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire have been posting numerous photos of their hometown heavily affected by the flooding. People are advised to stay away from swollen rivers and if you are travelling, check the flood risk before you set off.
The Senate passed the budget bill in a vote mostly along party lines.
Rooney dropped in Manchester United lineup against Stoke City
Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic, right, turns to celebrate after scoring Stoke’s second goal against Man … You want to go there, be successful and make an impact.
He sent a letter Tuesday vowing to veto a temporary spending measure, calling it a retreat from a budget deal he negotiated with legislative leaders.
Gov. Tom Wolf is facing a decision over what to with a last-ditch spending bill being sent to him without the increase in aid to public schools that he had sought.
Flying monkey No. 2: Wolf vetoed the Republican budget, prompting GOP leaders to wait almost a month before bringing out… The main appropriations bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday is part of a $30.3 billion spending package that includes $150 million more for public schools.
Pennsylvania has been without a budget since the start of July, leaving schools and government agencies scrambling to pay bills.
“We need a full-year budget and the governor is still going to stand strong on his commitment to funding our schools and fixing our deficit and balancing our budget”, press secretary Jeff Sheridan said.
“The deal broke off”, state Rep. Pat Harkins, of Erie, D-1st Dist., said Wednesday after House sessions in Harrisburg.
The bill is one previously advanced by the Pennsylvania House but it isn’t clear that Wolf will sign it. A statement released by his office shortly after the vote showed dissatisfaction with the move.
“Change is hard… but we must continue our fight for historic education funding that will begin to restore the cuts from five years ago, and a budget that is balanced, paid for, and fixes our deficit”.
Senate Republicans, however, say they will not consider the taxes included in Wolf’s budget unless he signs a pension reform bill – which went down to defeat in the House on Saturday, precipitating the current crisis.
“It’s basically sitting around and saying to one another, like, look… what parliamentary maneuver can we do to put this back on track?” said Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia).
Some said the budget process has been so fraught because several historically intractable issues, such as raising taxes and cutting pensions, have come together in a single budget.
“I’ve been here a few years”, Harper said.
“Believe me – many, many members who voted “no” in there are very glad this happened”, said Taylor.
Conservative groups who oppose tax increases in the state have criticized the $30.8 billion budget. The budget wasn’t complete until tax hikes to support state aid for universities and colleges were approved that December.
Advertisement
The stop gap budget would not require any tax increases, Republicans countered, and would allow further discussions without potentially forcing some school districts to close after the holiday break.
