As the June 30 deadline for state budgets approaches, tensions are running high on Capitol Hill.
After a week off, the Republican-controlled Senate returned on June 20 to work on the budget and pass spending bills. Negotiations have led to some progress and senators are working toward a resolution to the disagreements, according to Kate Flessner, a spokeswoman for the Senate Republican Caucus.
“Discussions continue to take place as we work to complete a budget that is in the best interest of the taxpayer. The Senate Republican Caucus is committed to ensuring that the budget for the next fiscal year is a responsible spending plan that will help us strengthen Pennsylvania now and in the years to come,” Flessner wrote in an email.
In an interview with WCCS in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, says the budget could be done by June 30, if not a few days later. But he points the finger at House Democrats for the delay.
“There’s really a deep divide, not so much between the Senate and the governor, but frankly, the Democrats in the House, you know, the House passed a budget that spent $2 billion more than even propose Governor Shapiro. And so we have a situation where the governor and his own party in the house don’t seem to be in sync with what we should be looking at in terms of spending numbers in the budget,” Pittman said at the station
Pittman said the biggest overall issue is the “point of view of where we are financially.”
“It is very true that we have a fund balance right now, we have a rainy day fund. But these are one-time dollars. And a lot of the demands we get for more spending are recurring expenses,” Pittman said.
House GOP leader Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, says his caucus isn’t happy with where things are.
“We’re ready to have a serious discussion about the budget. I’m tired of them governing in the run-up to the next election and I, they need to start governing the commonwealth. That’s the role they’ve been given, even though it’s only a one-seat majority,” Cutler said.
Democratic lawmakers have been steadfast in their efforts to fund education.
House Appropriations Chair Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, is a former educator who believes additional funding and resources for schools is a necessity.
“There are still a lot of kids going to schools that are not giving them quality, but not only are they not giving quality, there are schools that are making them sick, that’s why we invested $250 million for school facilities “. Harris said.
Budget talks resume on Monday.
