Senate Tries To Forge Ahead Amid 11th-Hour Budget Clash

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lawmakers are trickling back into the Capitol for another day of work in an 11th-hour clash over a deal to end Pennsylvania's 5-month-old budget stalemate.

The Senate's schedule Monday could include passage of a $30.8 billion spending plan and legislation to cut costs and overhaul benefits in Pennsylvania's two mammoth public-sector pension systems.

Wolf, a Democrat, has agreed to sign the Senate legislation after he secured an agreement to raises taxes to deliver a record boost in aid to public schools and narrow a long-term budget deficit.

Senate Republicans say the pension legislation will lessen taxpayer risk by introducing a 401(k)-style plan component. It also scales back benefits for current employees, prompting a union lawsuit threat.

House GOP leaders helped negotiate the deal, but rank-and-file House Republicans are pushing back against it.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.