No budget, record low approval rates
The budget impasse is clearly impacting the Governor’s approval rates: A Quinnipiac Poll released yesterday shows that a record 53% of voters in Pennsylvania disapprove with the job he’s doing as governor. All over the state, except for Philadelphia, writes John Baer of the Philadelphia Daily News, his approval ratings are lower than ever.
PA Budget News
Last night, the House voted 150-49 to reject the Republican budget proposal pushed by Senate GOP leaders. But, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Yesterday brought some hope that there could be movement in the seemingly unsolvable impasse: a conference committee of legislative leaders will, within the next few days, be named to craft a budget that reflects the priorities of both Democrats and Republicans.”
Rep. Evans: Tax hike needed to fill budget hole
House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans says a broad-based tax increase is necessary to fill the budget’s $3.2 billion deficit, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
House Republicans unveil their plan to change how state gov’t works
Their plan includes many provisions on how the government and the legislature spend and keep track of money.
Sort out where the state’s budget money is going this fiscal year
Check out exactly where this year’s $28.3 billion dollar budget is being allocated in the Governor’s Office of the Budget site’s easy to read chart. Or, for those of you that are having trouble falling asleep at night, the full text of the final budget bill (SB 1389) is available here.
Patriot-News: PHC4 suffers from use as political football during negotiations
The Patriot-News reported yesterday that although Gov. Rendell correctly reauthorized the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) until November, the council should never have been in this precarious position in the first place.
Sen. Fumo collapses in Senate chamber, after long day of negotiations
Yesterday, around 5:oo PM Sen. Vincent Fumo (D-Philadellphia), a key member in the budget negotiations for many years, became dizzy and then fainted on the Senate Floor.
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.