Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said Tuesday if the House does not concur in the Senate-amended Fiscal Code bill-- Senate Bill 591 (Vulakovich-D-Allegheny)-- by August 1, the General Fund budget could be as much as $300 million short of being balanced.

On Wednesday, House Republicans announced the House will reconvene on Monday, July 15 to act on the bill.

The Fiscal Code bill delays a $135 million automatic transfer to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, provides $70 million in funding for enhanced revenue enforcement, authorizes the transfer of $17.7 million from the Racehorse Development Fund and another $29.5 million to the motor license fund.

With respect to environmental issues, the bill includes provisions related to eliminating General Fund appropriations to DEP for the Consumer Energy Program for FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14, appropriates $150,000 for independent research regarding natural gas drilling to DEP, gives priorities to municipalities in counties of the sixth, seventh and eighth class with approved applications for Sewage Facilities Planning Grants, extends the payback of the Storage Tank Fund to July 2029, $3 million was appropriated to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for water and sewer projects costing between $50,000 and $150,000, directing DCNR to enter into an agreement to manage Washington Crossing Historic Park with the PA Historical and Museum Commission. 

NewsClips:

House Returns Monday To Finish Business

House Back Monday To Finish Budget

Lawmakers: Much Accomplished, Much Left Undone

Jobs Not Done Win Legislators Top Award

Lawmakers Playing Politics With Payday Loans

7/15/2013