Legislature adopts state budget deal

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Lawmakers delivered their first on-time budget in eight years on Wednesday night, as they voted to send a $28.05 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Thursday to Gov. Ed Rendell for his signature.

The House voted 117-84 to approve the plan shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The vote came roughly three hours after the Senate voted 37-13 to sign off on a compromise budget that boosts spending for education and economic development, ducks a major tax increase and cuts spending for libraries, state forests and other programs.

"We are setting the stage to end the last eight years and start anew in 2010-2011 with a fiscally responsible paradigm for families and busineses in Pennsylvania," House Minority Whip Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, said shortly before House memebrs cast their ballots.

Rendell is expected to sign the budget plan, which he has described as "frugal," and containing "pain" for many state residents.

The budget bill lawmakers approved Wednesday boosts overall state spending by less than 1 percent, from the current $27.9 billion, and by 4 percent for public education.

The Allentown public schools, for instance, are in line for a 2 percent increase in funding. The Bethlehem Area District would see a 13.44 percent increase, according to data provided Wednesday.

Despite the symbolic importance of getting the spending bill over the goal line for the first time since Rendell took the helm in 2003, lawmakers must also pass a series of so-called "trailer" bills that will implement the spending plan, approve revenues and provide funding for school districts

From the Associated Press