Legislative teams now have to convince the governor that their budget bill can be afforded
Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf has so far declined to sign off on the $31.5 billion budget bill sent to him by the state Legislature mere hours before the budget deadline Friday, insisting that he will not sign it without being convinced that there are sustainable funding revenues in prospect.
The delay has seen the Legislature effectively adjourn, with members returning to their constituencies, whilst bi-partisan negotiating teams continue to work on combinations designed to raise the necessary revenues through higher tobacco taxes, natural gas taxes, back taxes from tax delinquents, the expansion of legalised gambling and the expectation of bigger wine and liquor sales.
UPDATE:
With the long holiday weekend in the United States now over, reports on the Pennsylvanian online gambling legalisation issue have been given more clarity on the confusing and rapidly moving developments towards the end of last week.
According to the usually reliable publication Online Poker Report, it is now clear that the state House approved the budget bill but the Senate did not find agreement on the gambling elements.
The bill bogged down at committee stage with negotiating teams from the political parties deadlocked on some aspects that included gambling expansion, where Sheldon Adelson's Bethlehem land casino operation is strongly opposing one proposal that would see land operators permitted to operate "off-premises" venues populated with slot machines.
Currently the two sides are faced by a difference in perspective on the gambling elements so great that it could result in these being further delayed whilst the bill moves forward.
Adding to the confusion, some reports suggest that the state Senate may be considering its own, slimmed down gambling proposal, although which elements might be removed is not clear.
Observers and lobbyists have opined that little will overtly take place until Friday July 8 at the earliest, when the Senate committee handling the issue will reconvene to consider options such as its own gambling package, or pass the gambling package, or do nothing and let the gambling elements expire in committee limbo.
In the meantime, it appears that the actual budget bill has gone to Governor Tom Wolf's desk, although he remains adamant that he will not sign it until he is satisfied that the proposals are backed by realistic and sustainable tax revenue provisions.
Online Casino News Courtesy of Infopowa
