Pa. budget fight headed to leader-run talks

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A faint glimmer of hope emerged today that Pennsylvania’s three-week-old budget stalemate may soon be resolved after a House vote that moved the dispute closer to being handled by a committee of legislative leaders.

The Democrat-controlled House voted 150-49 to reject a Republican-penned state budget that passed the Senate late Monday. The bill was sent back to the Senate, and all sides predicted a six-member, bipartisan conference committee of senators and representatives would be appointed to attempt to find common ground.

House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne said he hoped lawmakers could reach a deal within days, not weeks.

“The public expects us to finish this budget. State employees expect us to finish this budget. We want it done,” Eachus said.