House set to consider Pa. Senate’s counteroffer to Corbett budget plan
The Pennsylvania House will take a look at a Senate budget plan that increases spending on education and social services.
House lawmakers are considering the Senate proposal that would tack on an additional half-billion dollars to the governor’s $27.1 billion spending plan.
Gov. Tom Corbett says he sees the Senate figure as a ceiling on spending.
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, agrees with that.
“We also need to prioritize on K through 12, higher ed, intellectual disabilities. I think those are areas where we want to make sure that if the revenues allow that we can do some additional dollars,” Turzai said. “So it is a balance, there’s no doubt about it.”
House Democrats say the Senate’s proposed restorations to higher education, public schools, and some social services programs are meager.
Turzai says he’s hoping negotiations will be wrapped up by mid-June.
The fiscal year ends June 30.
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