PA House Passes Budget on Almost Strict Party Line Vote

[JPZenger]

The PA House has met Corbett's demand to not propose an increase in total spending, despite the arrival of an unexpected $500 million in surplus tax revenues to the state.

The PA. House passed a State budget on a vote that was very close to a party line vote. The draft budget restores a fraction of Corbett's cuts to public universities and public schools, but cuts many other programs, including medical assistance and programs for the arts.

Many Democratic legislators strongly opposed the proposal. However, because so many people stayed home during the election in November, the Republicans have a large majority in both houses of the legislature.