Patriot-News: Marsico bill would force governor, legislators to “share pain” if budget doesn’t pass
Today The Patriot-News editorialized in favor of Rep. Ron Marsico’s (R-Dauphin) proposed legislation that would prohibit state lawmakers or the governor from recieving pay every day that a budget is not passed after June 30.
Ideological budget divide between state R’s and D’s
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the tough budgetary times in the state has displayed the deep ideological differences of the GOP and the Democrats, that hasn’t been seen since before Gov. Rendell was elected in 2003.
Bills on the move: 5/11 -> 5/15
The big news was that the House passed a bill (SB 189) to allow people 29 and under to stay on their parents health insurance under certain conditions. Since it already passed the Senate in March, Governor Rendell has announced he will sign it when it gets to his desk.
Gov. says state workers could go without pay during possible budget impasse
On Wednesday, Governor Rendell sent letters to 80,000 state workers saying that if a budget is not passed by June 30 employees will stay on the job but may not recieve their paychecks until the governor signs the budget.
Weekly Wrap-up 5/4 -> 5/8
Last week, the Senate GOP unveiled their budget plan, bringing anger from special interest groups, the governor and the House Democrats.
State Budget Round-Up for 5/11
A round-up of PA budget-related news from across the state: who’s angry about what, and what political columnist John Baer thinks should be done to make it more likely a budget gets passed on time.
Patriot-News: PA Budget Battle: high stakes year demands true compromises
Today the Patriot-News editorialized that although they don’t agree with all the cuts, they applaud the Senate Republicans for releasing a detailed budget plan at the beginning of May, because now both sides can begin compromising on a budget plan that will work for Pennsylvanians.
Budget deficit could hit $3 billion, Evans to offer $29 billion plan today
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans’ staff is now predicting that when April’s revenue numbers come out the state’s deficit will hit at least $3 billion. Evans is to release a $29 billion budget bill in the House today, based on Rendell’s plan.
House Majority Policy Committee hears testimony on plan to cover uninsured
Yesterday, the House Majority Policy Committee was in Dubois for the first in a series of hearings on how to best cover Pennsylvania’s uninsured residents, reports the Bradford Era.
Rendell signs autisim bill
Governor Rendell has signed a bill that requires health insurers to cover autisim treatments for children.