Posted on 12/24/2015 3:54:12 AM PST by Nextrush
A 30.3 billion dollar budget for Pennsylvania's 2015-2016 budget year was suddenly passed by the Republican controlled State Senate last evening.
The Republican-controlled House looked ready earlier yesterday to move forward with approval of Democrat Governor Tom Wolf's 30.8 billion dollar plan that increased spending six percent.
But the House adjourned amidst pressure from citizens concerned about tax hikes and amid concern over 'ghost votes'. Two Democrats not present at the Capitol Tuesday were counted as YES votes in the crucial 100-99 vote to put Governor Wolf's budget on the table.
This new 500 million dollar less budget had been approved by the House previously allowing the Senate to vote last night around 6pm to send it to Governor Wolf.
The vote was 33-17 with Republicans from all sides in the YES column including the more conservative members like Mike Folmer of Lebanon and Scott Wagner of York.
Two questions remain. Will Governor Wolf sign it? He has ten days to act.
If Wolf signs it, what taxes will increase to pay for it?
The legislature is on a six hour recall through the holidays so if Wolf signs quickly, some sort of tax increase may be slipped in during the next few weeks.
We in Pennsylvania have to wait and keep a watch at Christmas because of that.
The Pennsylvania taxpayers need to send The Boys In Harrisburg to perform school.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show starts in a few days and it’s going to be difficult to watch with a gloating Wolf there.
Get ready to “Embrace the Suck” of additional taxes in PA. Meanwhile, Wolf and his pals are planning now for the next round of tax increases.
Article on PennLive.
Come for the story, stay for the comments.
That giant sucking sound is our money going to Harrisburg and Washington.
Par for the purse for PA, they pull this crap all the time.. Republicans have held the legislature most of the time I can remember and they pull this crap all the time... Last time they gave themselves raises in the dark of the night, leading to voter rebellion but they just do the same things again.
State government here is just like washington’s. Bought and sold and has no regard for the best interests of the citizens or the state.
Right, the labor unions will get their cherry pie for Christmas just in time.
Nope, that giant sucking sound is going to Philthadelphi and Spitsburgh.
Most of the seats that have an R on them are former democrats that could not run against a dem incumbent so they switched parties.
Think of Christie in jersey.
But it gets there through Harrisburg. Getting stuck in a rush hour traffic jam going into Harrisburg or Washington you really can get a feel for how much money we send there.
The Republican spin from Harrisburg is that they can do this by juggling money and this is described as a ‘compromise’, ‘not as conservative as I would like’ were comments from State Rep. Steve Bloom of Carlisle.
Bloom also told listeners on the radio this morning of the desperate needs of agencies and schools for the taxpayer dime to be sent their way.
Bloom is one of those guys who postures as a ‘conservative’ like Scott Perry and the “House Freedom Caucus” in Washington.
I think the devil is in the details and they remain to emerge but its all contingent on Wolf’s signature.
God Bless All and Merry Christmas.
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