Complete Gridlock in PA. State Legislature
Some republican members of the PA. House are refusing to vote for transportation funding until after the PA. Senate votes to privatize alcohol sales. In turn, the alcohol sales bills are become a fight between 1. beer distributors and tavern owners vs. 2. grocery store and convenience store chains vs. 3. Dems who feel an obligation to support the liquor store union workers vs. 4. some legislators who hate Demon Rum.
A group of Repub House members also said they don't want any proceeds from liquor sales to go to those evil public schools. Instead, they want the proceeds to go to roads.
The Legislature appears to be in complete gridlock with 4 major decisions to be made, but no progress and no compromise happening. These four are: pension revisions, transportation funding, alcohol sales and the state budget. The state budget that Corbett prepared is dependent upon changes to the pension laws - otherwise it can't be balanced.
There are only 4 weeks left to approve a budget, and no one seems to be putting together a coalition to make it happen.
If there is no progress on alcohol sales, then there will not be any net increase in funding to public schools (other than a little bit more to pay some increased pension costs).
As a result, public school districts are having to put together worst-case scenario budgets. Considering that the year end State budget surplus will be smaller than had been projected, it appears the worst case scenario will come true.
The Repubs still control both houses, but their margins are smaller. In the past, the Dems were completely shut out of the budget process - they were allowed to see it right before the vote. This year, the Repubs are fighting amongst each other so much, they probably will need some Dem votes.
Hold on tight, it is going to be rough road.
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