Shortly after a $30 billion budget was approved in the Pennsylvania House and Senate, Governor Tom Wolf vetoed the entire plan. He’s the first governor in 40 years to turn down an entire budget proposal.
The governor tells us why he decided to veto the plan and what he’d like to see change about the next proposal.
Wolf says he speaks on behalf of the compromises needed to be made from both sides to get the next budget proposal underway:
"The job now is to bring those two points together because whether we like it or not Pennsylvanians voted for divided government and we both have to agree in the end... to come to a place that we can all agree will make Pennsylvania better. We all know we need a budget, we all know we're gonna have to agree and we're gonna have to do that as quickly as we possibly can." - Governor Tom Wolf
Also in the program, as The Salvation Army turns 150 years old, discover how the charity has evolved over the years and how they'll be celebrating their anniversary. WESA Celebrates reports a lesser-known story of the Homestead strike, the possibility of larger fireworks being legal in our state will be addressed and our travel contributor shares her favorite 4th of July weekend getaways.
Legalizing Larger "Consumer Fireworks" in Pennsylvania (starts at 12:15)
Pennsylvania residents can only buy "novelty fireworks" such as party-poppers and sparklers under current law but some lawmakers want to change that. A bill will soon be introduced in the Senate that would make it legal for residents to purchase larger "consumer fireworks" such as Roman candles, mortars and bottle rockets. The bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Elder Vogel, explains what he'd like to see change.
150 Years of the Salvation Army (starts at 20:16)
Red kettles with someone ringing a bell at the holidays are probably the first thing to come to mind when the Salvation Army is mentioned. Today marks the 150th anniversary of the organization begun in London. Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania divisional secretary Major Robert Kramer addresses how the organization has evolved beyond red kettles and thrift stores.
WESA Celebrates- Inventing Pittsburgh (starts at 33:55)
When Alexander Berkman tried to kill Henry Clay Frick during the 1892 Homestead lockout, the press called him a madman who damaged the cause of the striking steelworkers. But the anarchist and the union wanted the same thing. Margaret J. Krauss reports.
4th of July Travel (starts at 38:16)
This weekend’s July 4th holiday is our nation’s birthday. At this time when we celebrate our country’s independence, contributor Elaine Labalme has travel suggestions for celebrating your independence from the everyday and mundane.
More Essential Pittsburgh segments can be heard here.
