The Senate and House sent the Governor seven budget bills this week funding some, but not all, independent agencies.  The House considered over two dozen amendments to the main General Fund budget bill and then reported it back to the Appropriations Committee until an overall budget agreement is reached.

The bills given final approve relate to independent agencies: Office of the Attorney General, Office of Consumer Advocate, PA Gaming Board, Small Business Advocate, Public Utility Commission, the State Employee and School Employee Pension Funds-- Senate Bills 1472 1473, 1474, 1475, 1476, 1477 and 1479.

During House consideration of the General Fund budget bill-- Senate Bill 1466 (Corman-R-Centre)--

-- $24 million increase in education block grants to $100 million;

-- $13.8 million in PHEAA student funding;

-- $38 million in Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (amendment by Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware); and

-- $17 million restoration of funding for the Department of Environmental Protection (amendment by Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware).

House Republicans retained the increases Senate Republicans already put in the budget for higher education-- $245 million over the Governor’s request-- and payments to counties for intellectual disabilities and welfare programs-- $84 million.

House Democrats had something to say about the matter of course and offered a number of amendments to restore funding and move the bill back to Committee for more consideration.  A number of their other amendments were also declared out of order because they raised funding without corresponding cut.

House and Senate Leaders came out of a meeting with Gov. Corbett on budget issues Thursday saying they are going to “hang tough” on the funding increases they proposed, while giving the Governor an opportunity to further explain some of his proposed changes, like the proposed Student Achievement Education Block Grant and block grants to counties for welfare services.

            NewsClips: Legislative Leaders Meet With Corbett On Budget

                                Leaders, Corbett Meet Again On Budget, No Progress

                                Budget By Mid-June Now Optimistic GOP Senator Says

                                Republicans, Corbett Continue Budget Talks

                                John Baer: Republican vs. Republican Budget Battle

                                The Calm Before The Budget Storm

                                Republicans, Corbett Continue Budget Talks

                                House Democrats Seek Environmental Cut Restorations

                                Legislators Push For More Environmental Funding

                                Details Of Top GOP Lawmakers’ Budget Plan Emerge

                                GOP Leaders Want Corbett To Budge

                                Corbett Seeking $1.67 Billion Tax Break Deal For Shell

                                Corbett Eyes Credits, Tax Refunds For Plants

                                Corbett Defends Proposed Tax Credit For Shell Facility

                                Corbett Defends Proposed $1.6 Billion Shell Refinery Tax Break

                                Corbett: We Weren’t Being Secret About Shell Credits

                                PA May Pay For Cleanup Of Shell Refinery Site

                                John Baer: Why Did Corbett Try To Hide Shell Deal?

                                Editorial: Shell Dell, Another Hosing?

                                Auditor General Calls On State To Repair Bridges, Roads

                                Op-Ed: Governor, Legislators Should Fund Transportation

6/11/2012