Gus the Groundhog would be so proud.
When all else fails, keep on scratching.
And gambling.
Slide over Gus, you're about to get some new competition.
With a four-month stalemate seemingly going nowhere, Pennsylvania legislators appear ready to fall back on an old crutch. They're going to roll the dice - and pony up a massive increase in legal gaming in the state.
So while for the most part you still won't be able to buy beer and wine in a single super store, you likely will be able to gamble legally in your neighborhood tavern.
Wednesday night the Senate signed off on the latest version of a funding fix for the Pennsylvania budget, something that has eluded them now since July 1, when they met the state-mandated deadline to have a new spending plan in place. The only problem is that they could not agree on how to fund it, in particular a $2 billion gap between spending and revenue. You know, just like what happens when you pay your household bills every month.
Here's what the latest funding package does not include - a severance tax on the state's natural gas drillers. This despite a push earlier by Delco Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26, and others to enact the state's first-ever severance tax.
Here's what's in: More gambling. More borrowing. Fantasy sports betting. Online access to both casino and lottery games. Video gaming terminals in truck stops, airports and online portals. As many as 10 new mini-casino locations around the state.
There will be a new tax on fireworks and expansion of the state sales tax to cover more goods and also online purchases.
But local tavern owners who have been pushing for video gaming terminals are out of luck. They're not included in the package.
The Senate vote was 31-19. But talks got snagged in the House, which is expected to debate the package again today.
One vocal critic of the plan, Rep. Scott Petri, R-Bucks, who happens to be chair of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, warned of an "explosion of gambling in Pennsylvania like you've never seen before."
The plan also calls for borrowing $1.5 billion from the state's tobacco settlement fund.
All of these things would get us by for this year. And maybe next year as well. But it falls far short of the recurring revenue Gov. Tom Wolf has said is needed to fix the state's recurring fiscal woes. That's why he has consistently backed the severance tax, a move supported by Delaware County Republicans.
For a full listing of what's in the funding plan, CLICK HERE.
The debate continues this morning: We'll let you know how it goes.
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