On Monday Pennsylvania House Republicans released their version of a state budget, and yesterday (Tuesday) they voted to pass it. Ba-boom! The budget is noteworthy for many reasons. Of prime interest to MDN is that the budget does NOT include PA Gov. Tom Wolf’s insane 6.5% severance tax (see PA Gov Wolf’s 6.5% Severance Tax Proposal a Hot, Stinking Mess). As a matter of fact, after passing the bill yesterday, Republicans are quoted as saying the bill’s overall aim is to inject “sanity, predictability and affordability” into state spending. Wait. Did House Republicans just call Wolf and the Democrats “insane,” with respect to spending and taxing? We believe they did. PA House Majority Leader Dave Reed said he understands the final version will get changed, quite a bit: “We understand it’s a negotiation, a beginning, not an end.” Let’s hope the Republicans hold the line once again against an insane severance tax proposal from Gov. Wolf…
