Speaking on the floor of the House last week, House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) urged colleagues to push legislation across the finish line to advance an agreed-upon budget between Republican leadership and Gov. Tom Wolf.

The budget passed both chambers on time, but even with an agreed-upon spending plan, Republicans and Democrats still have a wish list of policy goals that they hope to address in September when the General Assembly reconvenes.

Gov. Tom Wolf was joined by a bipartisan group of legislators as he signed Senate Bill 1, which extensively revises pension provisions.

With the June 30th budget deadline inching closer, pension reform is one of the most talked about issues some are hoping to work on along with the spending plan. Find out where pension reform stands, how lawmakers feel, and what might happen to fix the issue. 

In an exclusive interview with The PLS Reporter, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) said his caucus is more involved with budget discussions and negotiations on other major pieces of legislation than at any other time in his caucus leadership.

“We are in the room and that’s very, very important,” he said. “I think the governor has made it clear that he’s not going to move forward without us.”

He stated he believes the budget and related legislation will not be passed without Democratic votes.

“Everybody recognizes that,” he said. “That being the case, we need to be in the room, in the negotiating process.”