Pa. Lawmakers' Plate Still Full Ahead Of Summer Recess

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Pennsylvania lawmakers are staring at a marathon weekend of activity as they attempt to wrap up work on a state budget and other major issues before their scheduled summer recess on Sunday night.

Thursday was another day characterized more by what didn't happen as opposed to what did.

While the state House Transportation Committee did advance a proposal to raise new funding for roads, bridges, and mass transit, a much-anticipated debate on liquor privatization in the Senate did not take place, as the majority Republicans continue struggling to find enough votes for a proposal that will pass the chamber.

Republican Jake Corman, the Senate Appropriations chairman, says, "Oh, these weeks are all about peaks and valleys. And we're in a valley right now on that particular issue, but we'll continue to work at it."

Corman, meanwhile, acknowledges that efforts to finalize a state budget are being slowed by work on other major issues such as liquor, transportation and Medicaid expansion. Senate leaders continue to work on a Medicaid bill despite opposition signaled by House GOP leaders and Governor Corbett.