State Budget

House Rep. William Adolph, Majority Leader Rep. Dave Reed and Speaker Mike Turzai talk with media after a Republican Caucus meeting as Pennsylvania legislative leaders gather at the State Capitol to work on the budget, Dec. 23, 2015. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

(Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com)

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has adjourned for the day, and most members are leaving town for the Christmas holiday, subject to a return to session on a six-hour call.

House Republican leaders announced that decision after a Wednesday morning meeting with Senate Republican leaders produced no movement in an interlocking stand-off over taxes, spending levels and public pension reform.

Majority Leader David Reed, R-Indiana County, also suggested the time may have arrived where all parties should drop the so-called "framework agreement" and focus solely on a budget for the remainder of the 2015-16 fiscal year.

"We're waiting for a tax package," Reed said. "If that tax package can not come to fruition then it's time for us all to admit we need to take things off the table.

"We can take pensions off the table. We can take liquor off the table. I certainly think we should take an income tax and a sales tax increase of the table and pass a budget that's realistic... and move on with our lives and get money to school districts and the human service agencies."

House Democratic leaders criticized the Republicans' decision not to call up a $30.8 billion spending plan for a vote while other pieces of the package continue to be negotiated.

Pennsylvania's state government has been operating without a budget since June 30, and the impasse has caused many non-profit human services agencies that rely on state aid to curtail services.

There are growing fears that some school districts may also soon have to curtail programs because of cash flow issues.

The state Senate remains in session today, though its agenda for the day has not been settled as of yet.