HARRISBURG – To address the recent 135-day state budget impasse, Luzerne County Rep. Brenda Pugh has introduced legislation requiring state lawmakers to remain in session if a spending plan is not enacted by July 31 of each year. Pugh says “delayed budget agreements have become an annual feature in PA, with 13 of the past 20 budgets running past the June 30 deadline. Many PA institutions and organizations and the people they serve suffer the longer a deal is not reached.” House Bill 2194 would amend the PA Constitution and would require the General Assembly to be in session each weekday, other than state holidays, whenever a General Appropriation bill has not been enacted by July 31. This would allow for continuous, uninterrupted collaboration between House and Senate members and the governor. With unimpeded communication and debate, the General Assembly would have the opportunity to work toward an agreement with minimal delay. The measure has been assigned to the PA House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
REP. BRENDA PUGH