Yet again, a Pa. budget appears imminent

By Amy Worden and Mario F. Cattabiani
Philly.com, Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- After several days of renewed doubt over a budget compromise, Gov. Rendell said yesterday that he was confident that only procedural details stand in the way of yet another push to end the 97-day state budget deadlock.

"I believe we're close to reaching a substantive budget agreement," Rendell said at a news conference late yesterday afternoon.

Moments earlier, House Democrats went so far as to say it was a done deal after unpopular taxes were dropped. Senate Republicans said they supported details of the revisions.

The proposal that emerged yesterday would total $27.8 billion - $110 million less than one they backed with Rendell on Sept. 18 - and would eliminate four controversial tax proposals. Remaining untaxed would be tickets to performing-arts events, museums, and zoos; small games of chance; smokeless tobacco and cigars; and natural gas extraction.

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