Progress Reported In Talks For PA Revenue Package
by Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG (CBS) -- The state House majority leader said Monday that progress was being made as lawmakers and Governor Wolf try to come up with a plan to pay for Pennsylvania's new budget. A spending plan the governor said would become law at midnight Monday night, without his signature.
Things looked bleak at mid-afternoon Monday when Republican Jake Corman, the Senate Republican leader, was asked about the status of talks on a revenue package to pay for the budget.
"Matter of fact, I'm now late for a two o'clock meeting with the governor. So, I'll have more for you later," Corman told KYW Newsradio. Answering with a laugh when asked if he was optimistic about the meeting.
Make of that what you will. But later, after that meeting, Republican Dave Reed, the House majority leader, was more definitive.
"I would characterize that as a positive meeting. It was productive. We are moving closer to the finish line. There are still some outstanding issues, but they are getting smaller in scope," said Reed.
Meanwhile, a group of Republican lawmakers sent the governor a letter expressing concerns about the constitutionality of allowing a budget that isn't balanced to become law.