HARRISBURG – Legislators in Harrisburg are back to work on a budget deal as the impasse approaches its sixth month. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled legislature say they expect final budget legislation to emerge for votes this week.
Wolf’s original budget proposal called for a nine percent increase in spending, a $3.2 billion package to reduce school property tax bills and a new $426 million-a-year rent rebate for those earning $50,000 or less.
At this point, it appears lawmakers are settling on a spending plan of about $30.75 billion, up about six percent, but without any reduction in school property tax bills or an expansion of rent rebates.
The governor has secured an agreement for $350 million of the $400 million in funding for public school he wanted, but his plan to raise state sales tax was shot down before the Thanksgiving holiday.
