Leaders privately wrangle over budget, rank-and-file just try to stay busy
The last week or so rank-and-file lawmakers have been discussing everything except the state’s budget, while legislative leaders have discussions behind closed doors . Although this may seem odd when the budget is due in four days, this has been the way it’s been done in Harrisburg for many years, reports the Morning Call.
PGH Post Gazette’s Budget Run-down
With only four days left before the budget deadline, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette outlines what’s going on at the capitol this weekend.
If budget talks stay on track, possible deal by weekend
If budget negotiations between legislative leaders and Governor Rendell stay on track Friday, there just may be an informal deal in place by the weekend. In that case, the House and Senate can begin voting on the budget bill on Monday.
One week…until the budget clock strikes 12 midnight, July 1st
State lawmakers and the Governor have exactly seven days to work out an approximate $28 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year –before deadline strikes, and Gov. Rendell turns into a pumpkin…okay, not really…. But, after next tuesday, July 1st, approximately 25,000 state workers that are considered “non-critical” to public health and welfare could be furloughed without pay.
Senate: Budget bill to push along negotiations only
Yesterday a Senate Budget bill was passed on party lines, 29 -R v. 21 -D, cutting $400 million from Gov. Rendell’s proposed plan. However, Republican leaders say that that the vote was only an attempt to push along budget negotiations to get a plan passed by June 30th, and was not intended to derail negotiations between the leaders and the Gov, reports the Morning Call.
Healthcare plan will probably sit on Legislatures’ back burner until fall
Yesterday Gov. Rendell stated that working out the main components of a healthcare plan to help the state’s uninsured is probably going to have to wait until September, when the lawmakers return for fall session, reports the Morning Call. Rendell sees this as an advantage, as the nearing Nov. election will prompt legislators to work a bit harder to “approve a conerstone of his second-term agenda.”
Rendell backs away from furlough threat
Yesterday Gov. Rendell backed away from his position to furlough about 25,000 “non-critical” state employees if a budget isn’t passed by June 30th. Instead of a furlough, he announced that he would back a bill, amended heavily in the House Appropriations Committee, that would use $20 million from the PA’s rainy day fund to pay state employees for days worked after July 1st.
Budget Update: June 9th
Gov. Rendell met with Legislative Leaders last week to start budget negotiations. The biggest difference that needs to be worked out between the Gov./Democrats and the Republicans is a $340 million funding gap.
Rendell announces promising start to budget negotiations
The Patriot-News reports that Rendell is “optimistic” about the budget negotiations he began yesterday with Legislative Leaders. Although he refuses to take the possibility off a state furlough of all non-essential state employees off the table if deadline is not met.