Rendell schedules emergency meeting with Cabinet on budget
The Patriot-News reports that Governor Rendell has scheduled a closed-door Cabinet meeting for Wed. at noon to discuss the budget, including the proposed $400- $500 million in cuts to his revised budget plan.
John Baer: Budget impasse makes Pa. workers nervous
Political columnist John Baer says state workers are rightfully antsy, as they could face payless paydays if a budget impasse occurs, and once a budget is passed between 600-800 could lose their jobs.
Rendell signs 4 major healthcare bills into law
PHC4 was finally reauthorized for the next five years, while two laws were passed to help provide insurance coverage for Pennsylvanians and another to crack down on healthcare-acquired infections.
Bills on the move: 6/1 -> 6/12
This week the Gov. signed 4 bills into law — expanding Pennsylvanians access to health insurance, reauthorizing PHC4, and hopefully providing the financial motivation for hospitals to crack down on hospital-acquired infections.
Rendell: if income tax increase is needed it will be temporary
Gov. Rendell said that if he has to push for an increase to the state’s income tax to help balance the budget, he would want it to expire after three years.
Senate GOP budget proposal struck down in House Appropriations
Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee voted down the Senate Republicans $27.3 billion budget proposal on a 20-14 party line vote — a result that was less than surprising.
Budget round-up
The Patriot-News says the state needs to have an honest discussion on which will hurt more: cutting programs or raising taxes, while the House Appropriations Committee is set to consider the Republican passed budget at 2 p.m.
Rendell cutting $400 – 500 million from his budget proposal
Gov. Rendell announced today that he is currently working on cutting $400 to $500 millilon from his initial $29 billion budget plan, although no details have been finalized.
State income tax increase hinted by Rep. Dwight Evans’ spokeswoman
On Tuesday, with the predicted state budget deficit at $3.2 billion a spokeswoman for a leading House Democrat mentioned increasing Pennsylvania’s income tax as a way to help fill the deficit, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Senate GOP unveils their own budget plan
Yesterday, the Senate GOP released their own $27.3 billion budget plan, a 6% reduction from Rendell’s proposal, which reduces state funding for public schools, welfare, and economic development programs. Needless to say, Governor Rendell was quick to shoot the plan down in a press conference, as he was not happy about the deep cuts.