The Pennsylvania budget is due by midnight tomorrow night, and there is no word yet if the budget will be passed on time.
Behind the scenes negotiations are continuing between the House and Senate Democratic and Republican Leaders and Governor Tom Wolf. One of the major issues with the budget is how to deal with an estimated surplus of $9 billion, and another $2 to $2.5 billion in unspent federal coronavirus relief money. While Republicans want to save the money for the future, Democrats and the Governor have proposed several uses for it, including direct payments of $2000 to low to middle-income individuals. Talks also surround increases in spending for education. Wolf asked for an increase of almost $1.8 billion for instruction, operations, and special education. Republicans have said that they are willing to increase spending in education, but they want to see only one-third to one-half of the amount Wolf has requested.
Wolf’s budget secretary, Greg Thall, said that a budget deal is within reach, and that the budget will be ready for approval by 11:59 PM Thursday. If it isn’t, the state would lose the authority to spend money.
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