Budget

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "compromise" as "a way of reaching agreement in which each group gives up something that was wanted in order to end an argument or dispute."

There in a nutshell you have the prescription for ending the Pennsylvania budget stalemate. Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled General Assembly must back off their respective hard-line positions and realize that neither can get all that each wants.

What is playing out in Harrisburg is a microcosm of the near legislative gridlock we see in Washington: a Democratic president and a Republican-controlled Congress.

Last fall, we Pennsylvanians elected a Democratic governor and fattened the lead Republicans have in both houses of the General Assembly.

The inevitability of the aftermath of the outcome of this election is playing out now.

Wolf wants a $33.8 billion budget that raises and lowers various taxes, but the end result would mean an overall 16 percent increase for the average Pennsylvanian.

The keystone of his budget is a significant increase in education spending funded by a 5 percent extraction tax on oil drillers.

The Republicans passed a $30.1 billion budget that has no broad-based tax increase and closes the $1.2 billion deficit by making a series of internal accounting moves, taking the state out of the liquor business and reducing pension payments for future state employees.

The liquor and pension actions were contained in separate bills. On Thursday afternoon, Wolf vetoed the liquor bill and a bill on changes to public school funding.

He has not announced whether he plans to sign a bill that would make major changes to the two large public-sector pension plans, for teachers and state workers.

Wolf and legislative leaders from both parties met for about a half-hour Wednesday. Even though there was no agreement, Wolf emerged optimistic about the tone of the meeting and the respect shown.

Republicans were not as conciliatory.

"We've got a lot of work to do over the next, hopefully, just couple days or couple weeks to get to an agreement," said House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana.

"That takes a little bit of give and take on both sides."

A representative for Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, says if there is to be progress, Wolf must come back with a revised plan.

"The governor's budget plan has yet to receive a single vote. The House put it up for a vote, and it received zero. So at this point he needs to come back with another proposal."

Timeliness doesn't mean a budget is fiscally sound. In the past, fiscal mismanagement has led to cooking the books, adding new debt and credit downgrades. Yes, we are going to have a late budget, but let's encourage our legislators and governor to stop playing political brinkmanship and get down to their responsibility of taking care of the needs of the residents of our commonwealth.

By Bruce Frassinelli

tneditor@tnonline.com