Just hours after the House Democrats pushed through a radically-altered budget deal, Gov. Rendell criticized the caucus for approving legislation that "does not reflect the budget deal" made two weeks ago and doubted its prospects for passage in the Senate.
"The future is no doubt in serious question in the Senate," said Rendell at a brief morning news conference. "And that means a step back."
Rendell said while the Democrats' proposals to raise $1.2 billion by tax natural gas extraction and tobacco products were similar to his own, that he was "willing to live up to" the original budget deal struck two weeks ago.
"I understand what members have done and the point they have made," he said in a three minute statement. "But it's not about making points, it's about compromise and shared pain."
Rendell, who took no questions from reporters, denied that the parties were "back to square one" and promised to meet with Senate Republican and House Democratic leaders tomorrow to try to work out a compromise.
In a 103-99 near party line vote, the House late last night approved an alternative revenue plan that would slap new taxes on natural-gas drillers, smokeless tobacco, and cigars as a replacement for proposed levies on tickets to performing arts, museums, and zoos, and on raffles run by civic groups.
The state budget is now 95 days late, the longest such impasse in the country.
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They don't care. They just want to play politics. You wonder why people cheat on their taxes.— TomSmith- Here's another suggestion - eliminate half the state legislators. PA has 203 in the state House, and another 50 senators. Compare that to CA - 80/40 ILL - 118/59 NJ 80/40 NY 150/61 Mass.- 160/40. The only larger legislature is New Hampshire's unique system with 400 members - who serve for $100 per year (that's less than our legislators take in one day's perdiem, besides their high salaries). Maybe PA could get a budget passed sooner if fewer were feeding at the public trough.
- Scrap the whole idiotic thing. No more tax incerases in a recession.— Kaiser Sosa
- Right on crotchety!!! All these over bloated pigs care about is how to enrich themselves. It is a disgrace. Also, how do we go about getting Rendell off of post game live. He takes all the enjoyment out of watching the eagles. There has to be a better option out there instead of sleazy Eddie.— GoingPostal10
- Is Ed OK? He doesn't look healthy. He obviously lost weight, which is usually a good thing, but I am not so sure he looks ok. By the way, spending cuts are always better than tax increases. Tax increases always hurt more people than spending cuts.— SilverCTS
Comment removed.- How about the next few elections, these incompetent idiots get voted out of office. They are charged with the most basic task---balancing the budget and they can"t do it. Vote them ALL out of office. Election time is when the people have all of the power. It's time for a change.— theredster
- What a joke. The only state in the US that doesn't have a budget. But Fast Eddie won't give up his Eagle's job to actually do some work. He is an absolute embarrassment.— Hawks2004
- I agree Kaiser! http://www.goldcoinsgain.com— Bernardcraig20
- Why hasn't anyone started a recall petition or called for impeachment of the law breakers.— Tony67
