“The problem is,” Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R) said Friday, “we also need dialogue with House Democrat Majority. Sometimes I’m not sure I always get the same messages from the Governor’s Office and House Democratic leadership whenever we’re having this back and forth on what is doable.”

Earlier in the week, House Democratic Leader Matt Bradford said the “other body” has not been part of the discussions.

“They have been on vacation; they have not shown up,” Bradford said on Monday. “That is not acceptable; that is refraining from the task.”

The Republican-controlled Senate came in on Tuesday and passed a $47.6 billion, no-increase budget on party lines, as well as a transportation bill that would move money from the mass transit trust fund. Democrats called the Senate bills unserious.

“The Republican majority is trying to pass off this shell game as a responsible response, and it is not,” said State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks).

House Democrats have had serious disdain for both Senate bills and, on Wednesday, rejected them on party lines in the Rules and Appropriations Committees.