Pa Governor signs $1.3B budget bailout package
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a $1.3 billion revenue package into law, just hours after the legislation became public and passed both the Pennsylvania House and Senate. Wolf signed the bills Wednesday evening, his office said.
The Latest on the Pennsylvania Legislature's session (all times local):
7:45 p.m.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a $1.3 billion revenue package into law, just hours after the legislation became public and passed both the Pennsylvania House and Senate.
Wolf signed the bills Wednesday evening, his office said.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 28-22, minutes after the House voted 116-75 on a just-unveiled tax bill negotiated between Wolf and top lawmakers, and adjourned until September.
Budget negotiators say the election-year tax increase is necessary to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget and a 5 percent increase in spending.
The package is split between tax increases and one-time infusions of money, including a $200 million loan from a state medical malpractice insurance fund.
It includes a $1 per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, to $2.60 per pack, and an extension of the state's 6 percent sales tax to digital downloads of music, videos, books and apps. It also counts on $100 million from pending legislation to make Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online gambling.
4:30 p.m.
A $1.3 billion revenue package is through the Pennsylvania Legislature and on its way toward the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 28-22 on Wednesday, minutes after the House voted 116-75 on a just-unveiled tax bill negotiated between Wolf and top lawmakers. Wolf's signature could happen within hours.
Budget negotiators say the election-year tax increase is necessary to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget.
The package is split between tax increases and one-time infusions of money, including a $200 million loan from a state medical malpractice insurance fund.
It includes a $1 per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, to $2.60 per pack, and an extension of the state's 6 percent sales tax to digital downloads of music, videos, books and apps. It also counts on $100 million from pending legislation to make Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online gambling.
State government is operating under a $31 billion spending bill that lacks the tax collections to sustain it.
4:20 p.m.
A $1.3 billion revenue package is advancing in the Pennsylvania Legislature toward the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
The Republican-controlled House voted 116-75 on Wednesday on a just-unveiled tax bill negotiated between Wolf and top lawmakers. Senate passage and Wolf's signature could happen within hours.
Budget negotiators say the election-year tax increase is necessary to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget.
The package is split between tax increases and one-time infusions of money, including a $200 million loan from a state medical malpractice insurance fund.
It includes a $1 per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, to $2.60 per pack, and an extension of the state's 6 percent sales tax to digital downloads of music, videos, books and apps. It also counts on $100 million from pending legislation to make Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online gambling.
State government is operating under a $31 billion spending bill that lacks the tax collections to sustain it.
2:20 p.m.
A $1.3 billion revenue package is headed toward up-or-down votes in the Pennsylvania House and Senate.
A committee of six top lawmakers voted unanimously on a just-unveiled tax bill as leaders hope to win final votes on an election-year tax increase necessary to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget.
The package is split between tax increases and one-time infusions of money, including a $200 million loan from a state medical malpractice insurance fund.
It includes a $1 per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, to $2.60 per pack, and an extension of the state's 6 percent sales tax to digital downloads of music, videos, books and apps. It also counts on $100 million from pending legislation to make Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online gambling.
State government is operating under a $31 billion spending bill that lacks the tax collections to sustain it, and lawmakers are scrambling to fix that before there's a lawsuit or bond downgrade.
7 a.m.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are to return to the Capitol to take what leaders hope will be final votes on an election-year tax increase necessary to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget.
Wednesday votes are expected on a $1.3 billion revenue package that's still under wraps as lawmakers work out final details.
It is expected to include a $1 per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, to $2.60 per pack, and an extension of the state's 6 percent sales tax to digital downloads of music, videos, books and apps.
State government is operating under a $31 billion spending bill that lacks the tax collections to sustain it, and lawmakers are scrambling to fix that before there's a lawsuit or bond downgrade.
There's also closed-door wrangling over Republican efforts to create avenues for charter school expansions.
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