Pa. lawmakers await briefing on developing $28 billion budget deal

Rank-and-file Pennsylvania legislators are awaiting a briefing on a developing budget agreement as Wednesday's midnight deadline approaches.

A top aide to Gov. Ed Rendell said the governor hasn't signed off and legislative leaders still need to brief rank-and-file legislators.

Rendell's chief of staff Steve Crawford says he believes the agreement reflects the governor's priorities to protect money for education, children and job creation.

But some details remain unfinished.

The approximately $28 billion spending plan would represent a less than 1 percent increase over the approved spending level in the nearly ended fiscal year.

Legislators also agreed to negotiate the details of a new tax on natural gas extraction from the rich Marcellus Shale reserve.

Express Times