Pa. budget negotiators continue work as frustration with 128

HARRISBURG — Negotiators seeking a deal on a long overdue state budget reportedly made progress as Election Day came and went, but the 128-day length of the impasse has cemented convictions among some lawmakers that it’s time to shake things up in Harrisburg.

Bills are afloat to downsize the Legislature via a constitutional amendment, suspend pay during an impasse, and withhold raises if a budget isn’t done on time. Similar bills have been pushed without success in the past. But the sour taste of this year’s lengthy debacle may be a catalyst, according to Democratic Sen. Lisa Boscola of Northampton County, sponsor of the downsizing bill.

“Both sides are entrenched in their ideas,” Ms. Boscola said. “If you are just going to have party-line votes, why do you need all these legislators?”