Wednesday, Republican legislative leaders offered Gov. Tom Wolf and Democratic legislative leaders their desired education funding level in exchange for a revised defined contribution pension reform plan.

If the offer is accepted by Gov. Wolf and Democrats, it would mark the largest step forward in Pennsylvania’s now seven week-long budget stalemate.

According to top Republican leaders from the Senate and the House who spoke following Wednesday’s negotiating session, Republicans would find a way to fund an additional $300 million in education funding above the $100 million in new investment in the budget passed on June 30 if the governor would agree to a pension reform bill that looks largely like the defined contribution plan in Senate Bill 1, but with some modifications.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) laid out some of the more major modifications to the pension reform plan, including a 16 percent employer contribution, removing legal issues brought up by Gov. Wolf in his veto message, as well as including a one percent employer contribution to the cash balance side of the plan.

Gov. Tom Wolf gives some insight into the topics discusses during a Wednesday morning budget meeting with Republican and Democratic leaders. 

Prior to Wednesday’s scheduled meeting between legislative leaders and Gov. Tom Wolf, Wolf’s office sent an email to reporters accusing Republicans of having no desire to work toward a compromise spending plan and related legislation.

To back up their claim, the administration copied an email sent by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) to Republican senators regarding the possibility of session next week.

According to portions of the email highlighted by Wolf press secretary Jeff Sheridan, the leader told members: "Contrary to some reports last week, I can assure you that we have made very little progress since June 30.  In many ways I think we may be further apart."

"The email...from Sen. Corman highlights that Republicans have no desire to work with Gov. Wolf to reach a final agreement on a budget. Despite significant compromises put forth by the governor, Republicans have not moved a dime on education funding," Sheridan added.

In a Tuesday morning press conference, citizen activist Gene Stilp announced the filing of an official request with the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission to look at the activities conducted by Attorney General Kathleen Kane to see if her use of state services, resources and staff to defend herself against criminal charges constitutes a conflict of interest. 

Gov. Tom Wolf Monday released a report on oil train safety authored by rail safety expert Dr. Allan Zarembski, which focused on how to protect Pennsylvania residents from rail accidents involving Bakken crude oil trains.

“Every week, roughly sixty to seventy trains carrying crude oil travel through Pennsylvania destined for Philadelphia or another East Coast refinery, and I have expressed grave concern regarding the transportation of this oil and have taken several steps to prevent potential oil train derailments,” said Gov. Wolf in a release Monday.