99 days in, budget talks grind on in Pa. Capitol

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A leading state budget negotiator says he sees “real momentum” in the most recent talks aimed at ending the budget impasse that’s hours away from the 100-day mark.

House Majority Leader Todd Eachus said today his chamber would vote later in the day on a package of taxes the state Senate approved the day before.

Eachus says there’s been progress but acknowledges differences remain on how to implement table games such as poker at slot-machine casinos and on a few other issues.

He’s not making predictions about when a budget might be finished, but he says getting it done is of prime importance to Pennsylvanians.

On Thursday, it’ll be 100 days since the state’s fiscal year began without a complete tax and spending plan in place.