PA Dems Applaud $1 Billion In Tax Increases

What are they, insane? No wonder the proposed budget isn't helping their reputation in the eyes of the people. Republicans are opposed to the budget. So is Rendell, for what that's worth. Last time I posted on him, it involved rumors of an alleged affair. That was linked to the whole Spitzer call girl, governor X thing. Whatever happened to that story?

House Republicans say they rejected the compromise plan because it includes tax increases, spends too much, and is unsustainable.

The House Republicans, while in the minority, could sink the deal if they can deliver their caucus' 97 votes (two members are serving in the military overseas) and persuade six conservative Democrats to go along with them.

Still, Mellow said he hoped the compromise, for which he believes he was the catalyst, would succeed.

Over Labor Day, they brought in the two top House Democrats, Speaker Keith McCall of Carbon County and Majority Leader Todd Eachus of Luzerne County. Both young leaders are relatively new to the budget process, and both come from Mellow's region in the northeast.

Wednesday night, they sealed the deal.

The $27.9 billion package announced Friday would reduce overall spending from last year and cover nearly $1.2 billion in deficits by cleaning out the Rainy Day Fund; instituting a range of limited tax increases. including 25 cents a pack on cigarettes; and authorizing table games at slots parlors. It also would preserve $300 million in additional education funding.

This link is subscription only I believe.

HARRISBURG, Pa. Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that he could not sign a proposed budget unveiled Friday by leaders of three legislative caucuses because it contains major revenue estimation errors that would render it unbalanced and, therefore, unconstitutional. The plan would create a deficit of more than $400 million in the current fiscal year and more than $600 million next year, setting the state up for a $1 billion tax increase in 2010.

Comments

[Rich]

Rendell is against this because it doesn't increase spending or taxes enough.

[Mrs. Peperium]

Insane? No. Just merely out of ideas...