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State Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood  D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/Youngblood

Youngblood reacts to budget deal announcement

HARRISBURG, Sept. 14 – State Rep. Rosita Youngblood, D-Phila., announced that a bipartisan group of legislative leaders from the House and Senate has reached a compromise to end the state budget impasse.

"I am pleased that a deal has been reached that would end the stalemate in budget negotiations," Youngblood said. "I hope to get to work as soon as possible on passing a budget so that vital funding for education, child-care and senior services becomes available to those who need it."

The deal includes revenue sources such as a slowdown in the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax, the introduction of table games at Pennsylvania’s casinos, and a 25-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax.

The agreement also would tap the state’s Rainy Day Fund and transfer an existing surplus in the Health Care Provider Retention Account to the General Fund.

Youngblood said work will continue to draft the legislation necessary to enact the agreement. The plan could be voted on in both the House and the Senate as early as this week.