$29B budget up for Pa. House vote, GOP opposition

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state House of Representatives is poised to vote on Gov. Ed Rendell’s $29 billion budget, although the Senate is expected to advocate a substantially lower spending figure.

The Democratic budget bill was expected to pass the House today. The vote is viewed as a preliminary step in what could be a long, tough negotiation with Republicans who control the Senate.

The bill would increase spending by about 4 percent and would require no increase in any broad-based taxes. It will rely on about $3 billion in federal budget aid, including some that Congress is expected to approve.

But with the state’s tax collections running behind expectations this year, Republicans say they will seek a budget with a lower overall spending figure.