The Pa. budget deal

Well, that didn't take long.

After initially digging in their heels Wednesday night, the state House got in line behind the latest funding mechanism for the state budget.

You can forget about a shale tax for another year.

And if you still dream about buying your beer, wine and liquor at a single super store as opposed to stops at a state store, supermarket and maybe your local beer distributor, you can keep dreaming.

As expected, the funding deal is all about gambling, and borrowing big bucks, which in itself is something of a gamble.

The measure is now on the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf, who for some reason is still talking about a severance tax on the state's natural gas drillers.

That's not going to happen.

You can read our editorial here.

But there is an oddity - unique to Delaware County - that is included in the package. It was pointed out on the House floor late Wednesday by state Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-161, of Swarthmore.

One of the measure included in the package is the green light for online gaming. While those funds will be disbursed by the state in every other county, the measure will allow Delaware County to set up a special authority to handle the funds.

You can learn about that provision here.

Now we wait to see what Gov. Wolf will do. This has gone on long enough. He may not like it, but he likely will sign it.

Comments