BC-PA--Pennsylvania News Digest, PA

2 New York men charged in Pennsylvania gun store thefts

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on budget developments in the Pennsylvania Legislature (all times local): ___ 6:15 p.m. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is passing a nearly $31.6 billion spending plan to the Senate, but it hasn't convinced Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf that it's balanced or adequate. The House's vote, 132-68, came Tuesday, two days before the state's 2016-17 fiscal-year deadline. The plan won support from House Democratic leaders, putting Wolf in a position of criticizing a plan his close allies are backing. In the Senate, leaders are cool to the House's plans. The 5 percent spending increase is being driven by pension obligations, human services and public school aid, as well as an attempt to balance an estimated $1.8 billion deficit. It would be balanced by higher taxes on tobacco products and an expansion of legalized gambling to the internet and airports. But House leaders are staying quiet about the details of their plan to increase taxes on tobacco products. They also aren't saying where they'll find money to pay for school construction costs. ___ 4:45 p.m. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is giving its final approval to a measure to expand casino-style gambling to the internet and airports. The measure passed 114-85. It is part of a larger House plan to help balance a nearly $31.6 billion budget proposal that was awaiting a vote Tuesday in the chamber. Pennsylvania's fiscal-year deadline is Friday. The bill's prospects are unclear in the Senate and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's support isn't guaranteed. The gambling measure won a preliminary vote in the House last week and would make Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize internet gambling. Republicans say the gambling expansion would raise $270 million in license fees and taxes to help balance a deficit-plagued state budget. However, Democrats say a more realistic figure is $200 million. It also would regulate daily fantasy sports betting. ___ 9 a.m. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says he's concerned about budget legislation developing in the House, but says there's still time to fix its flaws. Wolf said Tuesday that he hasn't agreed to the House's plan, and hopes the Senate will fix its flaws, should it pass the House. Wolf spoke during a regularly scheduled appearance on KQV-AM radio in Pittsburgh. The state's 2016-17 fiscal year starts Friday. A nearly $31.6 billion spending plan is nearing a vote in the Republican-controlled House. It would increase overall spending by 5 percent and K-12 public school spending by $200 million, or about 3 percent. Wolf had sought $250 million for schools. The House plan includes a package of tax increases on tobacco products, but Wolf says it doesn't carry enough revenue to balance a deficit.

The Latest: Pennsylvania House OKs budget bill Wolf panned