SENATE PASSES SCALED-BACK, NO-TAX-INCREASE STATE BUDGET

          Harrisburg, June 20, 2007 -- Signaling bipartisan resolve to hold the line on taxes, the Senate voted (49-1) to pass a scaled-back, no-tax-increase $27 billion state budget (HB 1286) for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
          The bill, which now returns to the House for further action, holds the increase in state spending over the current budget year to about 2.7 percent -- about one percent lower than the budget recommended by the Governor.
          "While we fully expect there will be adjustments in the final accord, the message sent to the budget negotiating table today by Senate Democrats and Republicans alike is that this chamber is in no mood to raise taxes.
          "This is about setting priorities and meeting the legitimate needs of Pennsylvania's people without reaching into their pockets for more," said O'Pake, the Senate's Democratic Whip.  
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