House leader vows a vote on transportation bill
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) said Wednesday that he will push for a vote on a crucial transportation funding bill next week, regardless of whether there is a plan with enough support to pass the GOP-controlled chamber.
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) said Wednesday that he will push for a vote on a crucial transportation funding bill next week, regardless of whether there is a plan with enough support to pass the GOP-controlled chamber.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's House session, Turzai said talks are still ongoing with Democratic colleagues and the Corbett administration on how to provide additional funding for roads, bridges and mass transit.
But, he said, if consensus cannot be reached, he will seek to move a transportation funding bill next week that everyone acknowledges does not have the votes needed to pass the chamber.
The matter needs "to be brought to a head," Turzai said.
Other top House Republicans have said that if a deal cannot be struck by this weekend - and approved by the House next week - the legislative effort will likely die.
That is partly because after next week, the House is off and is not scheduled to return until November 12. Transportation funding is a top priority for Gov. Corbett, and scoring a legislative win on the issue is considered important to his reelection.
Last week, House Speaker Sam Smith (R., Jefferson) jump-started transportation funding negotiations, insisting that changes to Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law be part of the package.
Bill Patton, spokesman for the House Democrats, said Wednesday that his caucus does not support making any such changes, but nonetheless said there is "cautious optimism" for an agreement.
Democratic support is critical to the passage of any transportation bill.
717-787-5934
@AngelasInk