House Democrats Create Website to get Budget Ideas from PA Residents
PA House Democats have created the website www.yourpabudget.com, to allow taxpayers to submit ideas for the budget.
Lawmakers Challenged to Stay in Harrisburg until Budget is Passed
Gov. Rendell challenged state lawmakers to stay in Harrisburg until the budget is passed, to create a sense of urgency.
Human Service Providers Rally at Capitol to Protest against Budget Cuts
Hundreds on social service provides and advocates rallied at the state capitol to protest against budget cuts.
Gov. Rendell and PA House Democrats’ Consider plans to use Tobacco Fund to Balance State Budget
Gov. Rendell and the House Democrats’ are considering using $340 million of tobacco settlement funds to lessen the deficit. These settlement funds are normally used for programs to stop or prevent smoking.
Medicaid Extension Critical to Many State Budgets
The current uncertainty of the medicaid extension, which will provide federal funding to many states, could be catastrophic to state budgets.
PA Legislators Fear Potential Loss in Federal Medicaid Aid
Gov. Rendell and other members of congress are concerned about the potential loss of $850 million in federal funding for medicaid, which would increase the state’s deficit.
Organizations Lobby for Budget Changes at Capitol
A variety of competing organziations rallied for budget changes at the Capitol, in an attempt to persuade legislators to address their conflicting needs.
State Deficit unlikely to be Closed by Extraction Tax in 2011
Senate President Pro Tempore, Joe Scarnati, states that a natural gas extraction tax on Marcellus shale will likely not be a method of closing the PA deficit in 2011.
Lawmakers Debate Budget Issues with Few Realistic Options to Reduce Deficit
Gov. Rendell met with state lawmakers to began negotiations on the budget, but with fewer realistic options to reduce the deficit, agreeing on a budget may be difficult.
Rendell Warns of State Job Cuts if Congress fails to Approve Legislation on Medicaid
Gov. Rendell said that thousands of jobs would be eliminated of congress doesn’t pass legislation that includes approximately a billion dollars in federal Medicaid funding.