Despite some increasingly sharp political barbs being thrown, Pennsylvania’s three-month-late state budget showed few signs of being closer to completion this week.

The Republican-controlled state Senate passed a bill that would allow Treasurer Stacy Garrity to issue budget impasse relief loans, which she announced last month, at zero interest, despite Democrats’ objections that Garrity’s plan likely violates the state Constitution and fiscal code.

At the same time, the Democratic-majority state House passed a $50.25 billion appropriations package, shaving over $1.3 billion off Gov. Josh Shapiro’s original budget plan in yet another attempt at compromise with Senate Republicans who have demanded lower spending.

While Senate GOP leadership didn’t outright reject the plan Wednesday night

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