After several hours of debate, the House Appropriations Committee voted along party lines to approve the Senate’s $27.65 billion budget target. While several Democrat-offered amendments were blocked during the committee meeting, the Appropriations chair signaled that amendments will be considered during ongoing budget debates next month.
The $27.65 billion budget is $500 million more than that proposed by the Governor. Democrats are claiming the Independent Fiscal Office is projecting another $300 million available, but the Governor’s Office has already called the $27.6 billion proposal the “ceiling” for spending.
The House will take up the budget and proposed amendments the week of June 4, and both Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman and House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph have predicted a final budget vote on June 13. Legislative leaders have not said whether the legislature will remain in session all month if the budget is in fact passed by mid-June.
Republican leadership did announce this week that lame duck session is officially out of the question, shooting down any talks that a transportation package could be passed after the fall election.