October 9th, 2009

Reports the Associated Press via the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Optimism coursed through the halls of the Pennsylvania Capitol on Thursday evening that the politically divided Legislature would bring an end to the 100-day state budget stalemate within 24 hours.

Key bills were readied for Friday votes in the Senate after a day of committee meetings, bill drafting and Gov. Ed Rendell’s top aides shuttling between the offices of top legislators.

“I think we have a room full of people that have stopped fighting each other and are fighting to get it done,” Rendell’s chief of staff Steve Crawford said.

Amid the optimism, citizen advocates and charities that deliver many of the state’s social services marked the 100th day of the stalemate by saying they would seek assurances that it does not happen again.

With billions of dollars in state subsidies held up, school districts, counties and the private organizations and businesses that deliver many of Pennsylvania’s social services are borrowing money to pay bills. Some of the social service groups have closed, while others have laid off workers.

“This clearly is no way to run a state government,” said Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

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