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Gov. Wolf Vetoes Entire Republican Budget, Talks Resume Next Week

After vetoing the main budget bill Tuesday night, almost immediately after it was passed by Republicans, Gov. Wolf met with Senate and House leaders of both parties Wednesday and came away from the meeting optimistic, but recognized he and the GOP leadership had fundamental differences on even the most basic parts of the budget, liquor privatization and pension reform.

Gov. Wolf Thursday issued formal vetoes of the liquor privatization bill-- House Bill 466 (Turzai-R-Allegheny), Fiscal Code-- Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh) and Education Code-- House Bill 762 (Roe-R-Crawford) bills.

The Fiscal Code bill has been especially controversial since it funds legislators’ pet projects and included a provision killing DEP’s regulations covering conventional oil and gas drilling and forcing DEP to start over.

House Republicans said they would continue to fight for the provision killing DEP’s regulations in “round two.”

The Governor has not yet acted on the pension reform bill-- Senate Bill 1 (Corman-R-Centre).

There is no deadline for further action on the budget and related bills, only the commitment to talk.

The House formally adjourned until August 25 and the Senate until September 21, but both can be called back to session if some sort of agreement is reached.

On Tuesday night Gov. Wolf said,”I am truly sorry that we are at this place….Republican leaders have just said no… I’m sticking to my broad goals.”

Wolf said the Republican budget would result in a $3 billion deficit. “The math just doesn’t work-- Two plus two does not equal five in the real world.”

The Republican budget, he said--

-- Does not adequately invest in education;

-- Does not enact a natural gas severance tax; and

-- Does not give property tax relief to seniors and families.

Here are more details on each of the budget-related bills--

-- General Fund: House Bill 1192 (Adolph-R-Delaware) Senate/House Republican General Fund budget was passed by the House 112-77 and the Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 30 to 19. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. Click Here for a quick summary of the Republican environmental budget items.

-- Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh) Fiscal Code amendments designed to implement the budget, fund projects wanted by legislators and insert legislative language wanted by members into law. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

-- Education Code: House Bill 762 (Roe-R-Crawford) amendments to the Education Code required to implement the budget and making other changes. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

-- Pension Reform: Senate Bill 1 (Corman-R-Centre) Senate/House Republican pension reform bill. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available. An Actuarial Note and summary of the bill is available online.

-- Liquor Privatization: House Bill 466 (Turzai-R-Allegheny)House Republican liquor privatization plan was amended with the Senate/House Republican liquor privatization plan. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

NewsClips:

Wolf Vetoes Liquor Privatization, School Funding Bills

Wolf Vetoes Liquor, School Funding Bills

Who’s To Blame For Budget Impasse? Everyone

Wolf, GOP Lawmakers Make Plans To Resume Talks

PA Budget Talks To Resume Next Week

Wolf, Legislators Plan New Round Of Budget Talks

Wolf Upbeat After Meeting With Legislators On Budget

Budget Negotiators Find New Resolve, Remain Far Apart

Video: Wolf- We Understand We Have To Reconcile Our Ideas

Budget Reset, Happy 4th See You Next Week

Expect Drawn-Out State Budget Impasse