PA House GOP Leader: Budget Talks "Progressing Nicely"

by Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG (CBS) -- Mid-way through June, positive signs abound as the Republican-controlled legislature and Democratic Governor Tom Wolf attempt to avoid the paralysis that gripped last year's state budget process.

While some veteran capitol observers remain skeptical, this year's budget season is looking different than last year's. Reform of both liquor sales and state worker and teacher pensions were all part of last year's bog of budget legislation.

Last week, the governor signed a historic liquor bill and Tuesday, the House sent the Senate a compromise bill that would create a hybrid pension plan for future employees that has both defined contribution and defined benefit elements.

Republican Dave Reed, the House majority leader, is upbeat about the budget.

"We've had a lot of meetings with the House Democrats, a lot of meetings with the Senate, and we've had meetings with the governor. I think everybody is focused on that June 30th deadline, and I would say that we are actually progressing nicely towards that," he said.

Governor Wolf, meanwhile, applauded House approval of the pension bill and urged the Senate to pass it.