HARRISBURG, August 20, 2009 – Yesterday’s attempt by Senate Republicans to override Gov. Rendell’s vetoes on spending items failed with a vote of 30-19, three votes short of the amount needed for the two-thirds majority that would override a gubernatorial veto.
State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Delaware/Montgomery, called yesterday's override attempt by Republicans "ironic", as they've previously tried to significantly cut funding to social services, such as crime prevention and child welfare, which both House and Senate Democrats have been trying to preserve since the start of budget negotiations.
During the debate, Leach said, “I find it ironic that my good friends on the other side of the aisle are waxing eloquent about the importance of these social safety programs. Of course, they are proposing dramatic cuts in those programs from what the governor originally proposed. I hope they will remember as we continue this process how eloquent they were today, talking about the state’s role in providing a safety net for people who are in trouble and for people who need assistance.”
The override attempt came after Rendell, attempting to pressure Republican lawmakers to authorize more money for social services, school subsidies and other programs, vetoed nearly $13 billion that had been endorsed by the GOP for those services.
In regards to yesterday’s vote, Leach said: “We are eight weeks past the budget deadline, and political posturing like this will not bring us any closer to a compromise. We are not solving problems with this stunt. We are creating them.”
Currently, Pennsylvania’s government is operating on a $12.8 billion bridge budget signed by Rendell earlier this month, which ensures that state employees will continue to be paid for their work, state prisons and parks will remain open, and health care for the poor, disabled and elderly will continue to be provided.
“I am still hoping that we can resolve this budget crisis and am counting on serious talks between top negotiators to find a way to fix our multibillion-dollar revenue shortfall,” Leach said. “Until then, I will continue to fight for what I believe must be included in the final budget, like adequate funding for social services, education programs, and access to health care for those who need it most.”
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