September 28, 2009

Late last week Governor Rendell joined the Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats and the House Democrats for an announcement that a budget agreement had been reached. House Republicans have not signed on in agreement to the budget. In addition to the spending plan there are several other pieces of legislation that need to be drafted and passed to fulfill the agreement. Meanwhile, rank and file members are raising concerns with components of the agreement. Voting may start next week and the budget and its related bills are not all likely to be passed until the week of October 5^th.

One of the components of the budget, the leasing of land for drilling, has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and environmental groups. On Monday, Representative Greg Vitali (Delaware) and others held a press conference to voice their concerns regarding the leasing of state land and the lack of a severance tax. To read the press release click here. To read news coverage click here.

Representative Dave Reed (Indiana) also weighed in on the leasing plan. Representative Reed has introduced a legislative proposal to lease state land but has raised concern with regard to the distribution of funds received from those leases in the budget agreement. To read his press release click here.