Lawmakers Disagree As State Budget Deadline Nears

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Top Pennsylvania lawmakers are assembling a budget package that's due ahead of the July 1 start of the fiscal year, but behind-the-scenes disagreements remain and rank-and-file lawmakers are awaiting details.

The first votes on budget legislation are expected Monday.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature are staying quiet about their disagreements as hundreds of pages of budget legislation are being drafted.

Meanwhile, rank-and-file lawmakers haven't been briefed on what's expected to be a nearly $34 billion spending bill. Lawmakers say the package will hold the line on major taxes and fees.

Among the disagreements is Wolf's request that lawmakers authorize the first steps toward Pennsylvania joining a regional consortium that sets a price and caps on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants.

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