Although Pennsylvania's state budget is three days overdue, legislative leaders in both the House and Senate said Wednesday they were confident “productive” discussions would lead to a final spending plan for the fiscal year that began Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman of Indiana County, a Republican, said during a news conference that talks appeared to be moving toward an agreement, but that sticking points remained on a number of issues, including how much additional spending should be approved for public education and how to work out a new formula for apportioning funding to each school district.

In particular, Pittman said one question is whether the census data he prefers or the information provided by school administrators themselves should be used as key metrics for a new funding formula.

“It's the details that matter, the words on paper, and as we always say: if everything is not agreed, nothing is agreed,” he said of the ongoing negotiations.

Pittman said Senate Republicans remain interested in passing additional support for parents who want to send their children to charter or private schools, but he acknowledged that private school vouchers, which were effectively rejected in last year's budget, are unlikely.

Laws to regulate and tax games of skill – machines that look like slot machines but have not yet been classified as “illegal gambling devices” by Pennsylvania courts – are also not expected to be included in the final budget agreement.

“I don’t think there is enough critical mass to do that,” Pittman said.

Pittman said he also believes the final cost of the budget will fall short of the $48.3 billion budget proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Shapiro wanted to use state reserves to finance a $1 billion increase in public education spending. The bulk of that money would go to some of Pennsylvania's poorest school districts to help even out funding inequities.

A spokeswoman for the House Democratic Caucus said in a statement that negotiations were still ongoing.

“We continue to work in good faith with all parties to agree on a budget that provides the constitutionally required investments in public education, advances our economy and continues to support the programs and services that Pennsylvanians rely on,” said Beth Rementer, a spokeswoman for House Democratic Leader Matt Bradford.

Shapiro's government also remained optimistic that an agreement could be reached.

“Governor Shapiro and legislative leaders have worked hard to finalize a budget that benefits our Commonwealth,” said Manuel Bonder, a spokesman for Shapiro. “The governor has had a positive, productive dialogue with leaders from both parties in Harrisburg – and he will continue to do so in the coming days as we work to finalize this deal.”