Pa. House takes up debate on GOP budget plan

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state House of Representatives is debating a Republican state budget proposal that’s likely to pass and be sent to the Senate.

The House debate began this afternoon with a defense of the bill by Delaware Republican Rep. Bill Adolph, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

It’s a major step in the process ahead of intensive final negotiations between the Legislature and governor.

Adolph calls the $27.3 billion spending plan a responsible reaction to a massive budget deficit and emphasizes that it raises no new taxes.

Democrats say the bill devastates education, health care and other vital programs, and want the spending level to go higher because state tax collections are surging.