Gov. Rendell, legislators still working out Pa. budget

Governor Ed Rendell says he can’t sign Pennsylvania’s budget until an accompanying bill setting revenue levels has passed, as well.

Governor Ed Rendell says he can’t sign Pennsylvania’s budget until an accompanying bill setting revenue levels has passed, as well.

House and Senate leaders are still negotiating the specifics of the fiscal code bill, as Scott Detrow reports from the state Capitol.

Top Republicans and Democrats are working out the details of Pennsylvania’s fiscal code behind closed doors.

One of the issues on the table is whether or not to create a Legislative Fiscal Office, which would function like the Congressional Budget Office in Washington, and counter-balance the administration’s financial analysis.

Governor Rendell says he can’t sign the appropriations bill, which sets the state’s spending, until the General Assembly passes the fiscal code.

“I have a responsibility – a constitutional responsibility – to make sure that it’s a budget that is balanced and paid for. Until the fiscal code comes in, until I have an opportunity to sign the fiscal code, I won’t be assured of that.”

Rendell has 10 days to sign the appropriations bill, and warns he’d be forced to veto the budget if the fiscal code isn’t on his desk at the end of the window.

Top lawmakers are pushing for House and Senate votes on the measure before the Fourth of July.