Philly’s City Council Votes Today on Budget that May Include Soda Tax
Mayor Nutter’s soda tax may be revisited at today’s city council vote; Nutter cites the tax as a way to fight obesity and the financial crisis.
Patriot News: Start Budget Now, Not after Memorial Day
The Harrisburg paper feels that with so many budget issues, legislators should start budget negotiations now, not later.
Stateworks Won’t Be Furloughed if Budget Doesn’t Pass
Gov. Rendell said that state workers won’t be furloughed if the budget does not pass on time this year.
Rendell Backs Leasing Moratorium
Rendell backs the three year moratorium on public gas leasing, stating that current leases and a $120 million dollar deal with Anadarko Petroleum Corp. would provide enough drilling revenue for PA.
Times Leader: Taxing Smokeless Tobacco and Cigars should be a no-brainer
The Wilkes-Barre paper believes that the decision to tax smokeless tobacco should be an easy decision for lawmakers, since these products are harmful and addictive.
Republican Senators Warn School Superintendents to Use Caution When Creating their Budgets for 2010-2011
Republican Senators are warning school superintendents not to count on Gov. Rendell’s proposed $5.9 billion in education funding for next year’s budget.
Simple Cost Saving Methods Could Reduce PA’s Deficit
Changes such as using debit cards for state purchases, reducing the state’s vehicle fleet, and processing Social Security payments for other states could be part of the solution to reduce PA’s deficit.
Patriot News: “Out of Wack” Budget Proposals May Cause State to Not Meet Budget Deadline– Again.
The Harrisburg paper states that new information regarding the budget deficit may cause Congress to not meet the budget deadline again in 2010.
Budget Shortfalls May Cause More Layoffs
With a current shortfall of 1.1 billion dollars, state workers may be facing more layoffs and furloughs to close the budget gap.
PA Dept. of Public Welfare seeking federal funding aid
More people needing assistance, combined with the rising cost of healthcare, makes for a stretched DPW budget.