Pennsylvania
Ness files Pennsylvania suspension appeal, requests a stay
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania budget negotiations take a holiday – Washington Examiner
(The Center Square) – The state capitol fell quiet Wednesday after lawmakers left town for the Fourth of July, intent on hammering out a budget deal over the weekend – maybe.
The holiday break means the plan could be a week or more overdue. Still, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, said discussions remain “engaged,” “productive” and “cordial.”
“But I will also say that details matter, words on paper matter, and as we always say, unless everything’s agreed to, nothing’s agreed to,” he said.
The tongue-in-cheek remark rings true every budget season, though the contention of last year’s talks seems absent, for now.
“One thing we all learned a little bit last year, myself included, is to try to figure out a better way to navigate this process,” Pittman said. “We really are committed to the notion that divided government shouldn’t be dysfunctional government.”
Education priorities elude compromise, Pittman said. As does human services spending. In the former, a constitutional mandate to equalize school district funding looms large over negotiations.
A revised formula passed the House in June, though it has yet to be considered in the Senate. Pittman said “some hard realities are setting in” about the new calculations.
“As I’ve said before, there are 500 school districts in this commonwealth,” he said. “Every single one of them has a different sense of what is fair.”
Critics of the revised formula say it hurts nearly two-thirds of school districts and should be scrapped entirely. Supporters laud the multi-billion dollar plan as long overdue.
In the end, it will be up to House Democratic leaders, Senate Republican leaders and Gov. Josh Shapiro to meet in the middle. Pittman said he’s confident that can still happen before the lapse impacts state services.
The House gaveled out until Friday at 3 p.m., while the Senate isn’t scheduled to reconvene until 3 p.m. Saturday.
In the meantime, Pittman said, staffers will work “around the clock” to finalize a deal, and the chamber can be ready to come back “at a moment’s notice.”
Pennsylvania
PA News Quiz: SCOTUS rulings, summer Olympics
We cannot afford to leave journalism — a vital component of our beloved communities — in the hands of absent corporate owners, hedge funds, and agenda-driven billionaires. Many have spent the past two decades gutting our local news institutions.
Spotlight PA is blazing a bold new path forward, and for a limited time, your support will be DOUBLED.
We are independent, beholden to no corporate interests or profit motives. We’re strictly nonpartisan, with no political agenda, no policy preferences, and no opinion content. And we are nonprofit, allowing us to offer all of our journalism at no cost thanks to the generosity of thousands of people across Pennsylvania.
Our talented journalists produce stories you won’t find anywhere else, tracking our hard-earned tax dollars, exploring hugely consequential policy decisions, and holding our elected officials accountable. That reporting drives real and substantial change for the better.
Your support of Spotlight PA allows us to continue this urgent work and mission, ensuring all in Pennsylvania can access trusted, quality journalism that’s unique, relevant, illuminating, and inspiring. If you can, please consider donating to Spotlight PA just once, or better yet, support us every month with a sustaining gift to help us grow and build for the future.
For a limited time, all gifts will be DOUBLED in honor of Independence Day.
Thank you.
Christopher Baxter
CEO & President, Spotlight PA
PS: If you prefer to mail a check, you can send it to:
Spotlight PA,
PO Box 11728,
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1728
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware governors attend meeting with Biden about debate
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
-
Politics1 week ago
Oakland mayor breaks silence after FBI raid: ‘I have done nothing wrong’
-
News1 week ago
Where Joe Biden and Donald Trump Stand on the Issues
-
Politics1 week ago
Popular Republican and Trump running mate contender makes first Senate endorsement in 2024 races
-
News1 week ago
Toplines: June 2024 Times/Siena Poll of Registered Voters Nationwide
-
Politics1 week ago
Fox News Politics: Trump Ungagged…Kinda
-
Politics1 week ago
Obama again stepping into role as Joe's closer ahead of Trump v Biden rematch
-
News1 week ago
Iowa floodwaters breach levees as even more rain dumps onto parts of the Midwest
-
News5 days ago
Video: How Blast Waves Can Injure the Brain