HARRISBURG - House Republican leaders introduced a $28.3 billion state budget bill that provides $100 million above current levels for basic education but spends less overall than what the governor proposed.
The budget bill includes funding to hire 300 new state troopers and reduce waiting lists for mental disability services, and keeps funding for programs addressing specific diseases like diabetes and epilepsy and the county conservation districts.
The bill doesn't reflect Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to curb public pension costs nor would it extend Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income individuals - an issue under study by the governor, said House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph, R-165, Springfield.
"The outcome of negotiations can still be reflected in the final budget," he added.
The bill introduction starts the clock for consideration in the House Appropriations Committee next week and a House floor vote the week starting June 10. After that comes negotiations with the Senate and Mr. Corbett over a final budget.
"We have a constitutional obligation to have the budget done by June 30," said House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh.
The GOP bill contains misplaced priorities, said Bill Patton, spokesman for House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-33, Allegheny County. Education and human services need more money, he said.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com