Corbett signs PA budget, but transportation, alcohol, pensions stall

Governor Corbett has signed an on-time budget, but without any victories on his other top three legislative priorities. He says lawmakers can finish up those items in the fall–or even at the end of the legislative session in 2014.

A transportation funding plan got stuck in the House.

A bid to change how alcohol is sold in Pennsylvania stalled in the Senate.

Pension overhaul is a plan neither chamber is ready to advance.

Still, Governor Corbett is emphasizing the progress his priorities made in the Legislature.”These aren’t easy things to do,” said Corbett. “There are as you know, any interest groups with many, many different perspectives in a bill like this. So I can’t be disappointed. I have to thank the people for what they did. And I certainly encourage them, when they get back in the fall, let’s get it done.”Corbett has signed a nearly 28-point-four billion dollar budget–a more than two percent increase in spending over last year.

It’s a largely status-quo budget, though it does increase schools funding by more than 120 million dollars.Democrats say the funding boosts aren’t enough to make up for past years’ cuts.

Lawmakers aren’t recessed for the summer yet.

They’re wrapping up budget-related legislation, including one proposal that could compel the state to expand its Medicaid program.

The governor hasn’t said whether he would sign such a plan.