Some legislators push for their pay to be withheld for late budget

Last year Rep. Jerry Nailor (R-Cumberland) introduced a bill that would take away lawmakers and Administration officials’ paychecks for as long as the budget isn’t passed after June 30th.

Gov. Rendell talks about the budget

Watch this video clip from WGAL-TV to see what Rendell has to say about the budget, and whether it could pass before state workers are furloughed.

Got furlough/budget questions? The Patriot has answers.

Today the Patriot-News published a Q & A section for state employees or anybody else that is worried about the state budget and what exactly it would mean for “non-critical” workers if they are furloughed.

Budget Update: June 17th

With 14 days until deadline, Gov. Rendell and Legislative leaders planned to meet again today to negotiate a budget.
In the House: Members have filed 130 amendments to the General Appropriations Bill, which are set to be debated on the week of June 23rd. Yesterday, the House voted 100-99 to defeat a proposal which would have allowed a vote on Sen. Piccola’s bill to prevent state employee furloughs.

House GOP fails to move anti-furlough bill

The AP reported yesterday:
“Republicans in the state House failed in efforts to force to a head the issue of potential furloughs of about 25,000 state employees. The GOP caucus fell one vote shy as they worked to advance legislation that would declare the entire state work force critical and therefore immune to being furloughed if the state has not enacted a new budget by the time the fiscal year ends June 30.”

Tribune Review’s Bumsted not convinced furlough required by law

In Brad Bumsted’s Sunday column in the Tribune-Review, he explains that last week’s Senate State Govt’ Committee hearing actually got to the truth of the furlough question.

Run-down: Republicans challenge Rendell on furlough

Check out the wrap-up by Jan Murphy of the Patriot-News on what exactly is going on with the Republicans challenge of Rendell’s furlough threats.

Budget Feud Heats Up: House Appropiations ties furlough bill to rainy day fund

Yesterday, at the Senate State Govt’ committee hearing Senate Republicans pounded Administration officials for answers on what law gives Gov. Rendell the right to furlough state employees, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Senate State Govt’ Committee to hear testimony from Admin. officials on furlough

Scheduled to testify before the committee are Naomi Wyatt, secretary of administration; Leo Pandeladis, the Treasury Department’s chief counsel; and Alain Williams, an attorney for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union that represents many state workers.

The hearing is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the Capitol.

Rendell: state worker furlough begins July 1st if budget not finalized

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Republicans are angry with Gov. Rendell’s recent announcement that he will furlough all “non-essential” state employees by July 1st if the budget has not been passed. The GOP maintains that this is not absolutely necessary and that Rendell is again using the tactic as leverage to get what he wants in negotations.