The Senate this week vote 49 to 1 to approve a state budget that reduces spending by $344 million from the governor's proposed budget. Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) was the only no vote.

Almost immediately, Gov. Rendell said he would continue to press the General Assembly to address funding for his transit/highway, health care and energy initiatives, even if they have to stay in Harrisburg a few extra weeks.

The House was also busy on budget issues, considering two rival highway/transit funding plans, one from each Caucus in addition to Gov. Rendell’s plan, passing two of the four bills that make up his Energy Independence Initiative and a moving smoke-free PA health care proposal.

The House had extended debate on an amendment to House Bill 1590 (Markosek-D-Allegheny) to provide additional funding for transit and highway improvements, but failed to take final action on the proposal after a five hour debate, even after voting down a motion to table the amendment 103 to 98. They plan to start session early on June 25 to try again. (See separate article.)

The Governor’s energy initiative fared better. House Bill 1202 (Gerber-D-Montgomery) requiring transportation fuels to have renewable content was passed by the House 138-60 and House Bill 1200 (DePasquale-D-York) making changes to the responsibilities of the PA Energy Development Authority passed the House 128-70. (See separate article.)

The $27 billion budget passed by the Senate includes a modest 2.69 percent ($709 million) increase in spending over the current fiscal year without any of the new or increased taxes proposed by Gov. Rendell. It also limits legislative initiative grants and only restores a few of the many cuts made by Gov. Rendell that he assumed the General Assembly would restore.

"Our caucus has consistently advocated for a budget that meets Pennsylvania's real needs with no tax increases for this year or next, and with spending growth limits close to the cost of living," said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware). "Today, the Senate advanced – with strong bipartisan support – a budget proposal that meets those goals."

This budget restores $105.7 million in funding that Gov. Rendell cut from a variety of programs and services in his proposed budget, including county conservation districts.

"We were able to restore some funding for important programs that were cut in the governor's proposal, such as epilepsy support services, lupus treatment, trauma center certification, emergency care research, agricultural research, and self-employment assistance," said Sen. Pileggi. "This is a responsible budget, but it also includes many tough choices. Several line items which have traditionally been funded are reduced or eliminated. Some line items are funded at levels that I personally would like to see higher. And some are funded at levels that I would like to see lower."

House Bill 1286 also increases basic education funding by 3.5 percent, bringing state support to $4.95 billion in FY 07-08. Special education funding would increase by 3 percent, up to a total of just over $1 billion in FY 07-08.

"Members from both sides of the aisle can be proud of passing a budget that does not increase taxes, does not create any new taxes, and does not exceed the rate of inflation," Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) stated. "This budget reflects an understanding of the financial realities of Pennsylvania families and balances it with a vision for future advancement."

"It is my hope that House Democrats recognize that the citizens of the Commonwealth do not need another bill in the mail taking money out of their pockets," Sen. Scarnati added. "The Senate has crafted a conservative budget that still maintains substantial increases in education, economic development, and medical assistance funding."

"I am confident that Gov. Rendell and House Democrats will find the Senate's version of the budget solid, sound, and respectful of the citizens of the Commonwealth," Sen. Scarnati added. "With House concurrence and a signature from the Governor, the final budget can be the consequence of financial prudence not seen in past years."

"I do want to recognize the many hours of hard work in bringing about this product by all members of the Senate, both Democrat and Republican," Sen. Scarnati stated. "Our negotiations have been open, productive and civil. Quite frankly, the budget process on the Senate side is reflective of the type of bi-partisan cooperation and work the citizens have been demanding for some time."

"In addition, I have stated time and time again, that when the Governor decides he also wants to begin working on the budget, this office will be as cooperative as he is fiscally responsible," Sen. Scarnati concluded. "It is, however, important to note, that the deadline to pass a budget is fast approaching and the Governor seems very attached to tax increases and bloated spending."

The budget vehicles at this stage are House Bill 1286 (Evans-D-Philadelphia) and Senate Bill 846 (Armstrong-R-Lancaster). The Senate also passed all the non-preferred appropriations bills—Senate Bills 929 through 959. And the House moved Senate Bill 795 (Armstrong-R-Lancaster) Public Utility Commission budget, Senate Bill 796 (Armstrong) Office of Consumer Advocate and Senate Bill 797 (Armstrong) Office of Small Business Advocate out of the House Appropriations Committee.

NewsClips: Democratic Highway, Transit Plan Hits GOP Speed Bump

House Plan Would Make I-80 Toll Road

House Dems Offer New Highway Funding Bill

House Targets Transportation Plan

Rendell: Legislature May Spend July in Harrisburg

Rendell Threatens to Hold Budget Captive to His Energy Plan

Budget Talks Going in Different Directions

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to voting session June 25 and are scheduled to be in all week, or until the state budget is done, whichever comes first.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/ Bills Introduced

· Senate/House Bills Moving

· Highway/Transit Funding Proposal Stalls In House

· House Passes Two of Four Rendell Energy Proposals, With Amendments

· House Committee Narrowly Supports Fee for Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program

· Senate Committee Lists Mine Families First, Transmisison Line Bills for Action

· House Committee Meets to Consider Waste Facility, Weatherization Bills

Other News

· 90% Strongly Support Clean Water, 95% Link With Economic Competitiveness

· Presentations, Posters Wanted for 2008 Keystone Coldwater Conference

· 2nd Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum October 12-14

· Regional Volunteer Water Monitoring Conference Set for October 12-13

· New Application Cutoff Dates for Water, Wastewater, Stormwater Funding

· New Farmer Network Project Promoting No-Till Set for June 26

· Farmland Preservation Board Protects 57 Farms in 18 Counties

· Lake Monitoring Program to Be Offered on Pymatuning Lake June 26

· Growing Native Plant Program Due Expansion in Centre County

· ClearWater Conservancy Permanently Preserves 244 Acres, Important Bird Area

· BP Solar, Universal Pictures Offers Free Solar System Sweepstakes

· Help Wanted: West Branch Susquehanna VISTA Volunteer

In Memorium

· Robert W. McCullough, 84, Lycoming County

Feature

· 35th Anniversary of Hurricane Agnes Floods Commemorated

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

6/22/2007