HARRISBURG - Democratic senators called for spending $50 million to help implement an initiative to assist financially distressed cities as part of a final state budget.
This funding would implement a number of bills the caucus has introduced to help struggling cities like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, said Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, at a press conference Wednesday.
He said the funding could also be used for state incentives to help cities deal with immediate fiscal crises.
"We have an opportunity to put our fingerprints on this budget," said Mr. Blake.
Senate Democrats, who are the minority caucus but gained seats in the last election, announced the initiative last December to tackle a number of city issues ranging from helping first-time urban home buyers with property tax rebates, promoting downtown economic development and boosting public safety.
Democratic senators should be able to draw support from Republican senators who represent distressed cities, said Mr. Blake.
The senators also urged spending an additional $15 million to enforce domestic violence and sexual predator laws, a nod to a call by state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane for giving more priority to those areas.
Curbing drug trafficking should be another priority, said Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Nanticoke.
"We must find a way to increase the level of funding for the office of attorney general - particularly to implement the highly successful Drug Strike Force and Drug Task Force in our region." he said.
The caucus priorities include closing several state business tax loopholes to generate revenue, expanding Medicaid coverage with federal aid to offset state spending and adding more dollars for basic education and housing needs.
The caucus outlined its budget priorities ahead of the introduction of any budget bills by the majority Republicans in the House and Senate. Those bills often surface in May. Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled a proposed $28.4 billion budget last February and lawmakers face a June 30 deadline to approve a budget for fiscal 2013-14.
Meanwhile, a group of House GOP lawmakers unveiled legislation Wednesday to merge the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission with the Transportation Department.
They said the recent filing of state corruption charges against former Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow and seven others for alleged involvement with a pay-to-play scheme involving turnpike contracts and campaign contributions and the downgrading by Moody's Investor Services of the commission's bond rating justify eliminating the independent agency.
The agency is beyond reform, said Rep. Michael Vereb, R-150, Collegeville.
Also, Rep. Jim Christiana, R-15, Monaca, said lawmakers should look at current spending before they ask the public to spend in taxes and fines to support a new transportation funding package.
"If we only talk about increasing revenue, we are doing a disservice to the taxpayers," said Mr. Christiana.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com