Wednesday’s vote to suspend House rules and consider the new Democratic budget proposal early sets the stage Thursday for a pivotal next step in ongoing budget negotiations.

Will House Democratic leadership have the votes to approve its new spending plan, which removes some higher-education funding from the budget while proposing to spend $27.8 billion on everything else, or will Republicans garner enough support for its roughly $27.3 billion plan?

GOP members said Wednesday they’re confident their side will win, which means House lawmakers would vote in favor of a budget amendment from House Appropriations Minority Chairman Mario Civera (R-Delaware).

“It’s responsible, doesn’t hold anybody hostage, and balanced the budget,” said caucus spokesman Steve Miskin.

He asserted supporting the Democratic plan would be tantamount for voting to increase taxes; an idea lawmakers have already soundly rejected.

The GOP plan cuts state spending, cobbles together one-time funding streams from an array of sources, including a tax-collection amnesty plan, and avoids a broad-based tax increase to bridge the state’s $3.2 billion revenue shortfall.

Democrats, meanwhile, have sharpened their message about the new plan since its surprise introduction Monday.

They argued their budget would break the stalemate while ensuring a better funding stream

Continue reading After Rules Suspension, Thursday to Showcase Big Budget Vote