City Budget Bill On Hold In Legislature At Least Until Tomorrow
House Bill 1829, the legislation needed by the city to avoid a fallback budget that includes 3,000 layoffs and the closures of every library branch and recreation center, is on hold the the state General Assembly at least until tomorrow. Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said the Republican caucus expects to discuss tomorrow changes made to the legislation by the state House last week. A decision will be made after that discussion about the timetable for a vote, which could happen by the end of this week or be pushed into next week.
House Bill 1829, the legislation needed by the city to avoid a fallback budget that includes 3,000 layoffs and the closures of every library branch and recreation center, is on hold the the state General Assembly at least until tomorrow. Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said the Republican caucus expects to discuss tomorrow changes made to the legislation by the state House last week. A decision will be made after that discussion about the timetable for a vote, which could happen by the end of this week or be pushed into next week.
The city is set to issue layoff notices Friday that take effect on Oct. 2. A frustrated Mayor Nutter said this morning that he doesn't plan on delaying the layoff notices unless the legislation is resolved in Harrisburg. "We have to run the city government," Nutter said. "September 18 is the date that layoff notices will go out."
Nutter yesterday sent a letter to member of the state Senate, asking for speedy action on the legislation. "Some members have responded and I've seen at least a couple who indicated their support," he said.