A budget deal by Monday? It just might happen say Gov./lawmakers.
Today the Allentown Morning Call reported that legislators and Governor Rendell are reaching a “framework” for the final budget plan, and are “cautiously optimistic” they can have the final plan by early next week.
DPW Secretary Richman responds to Inquirer’s editorial on MH-MR funding
Secretary of the Dept. of Public Welfare Estelle Richman took issue with the Inquirer’s editorial asking the state to give a COLA to mental health and mental retardation facilities (MH-MR). Richman’s letter to the editor says the Inquirer failed to mention the half a billion dollar of state investments in expanded services for such facilities.
Rep’s Everett, Baker want budget movement on the House floor
Even though the state spending plan is due in five days, Rep. Garth Everett (R- Muncy) told the Williamsport Sun-Gazette yesterday that there still has been no action on the budget bill on the floor.
Lawmakers: shame on Rendell for using state employees as budget leverage
Yesterday, Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin), joined by about 20 midstate lawmakers, held a press conference, saying it’s unnacceptable for Governor Rendell to be using state employees as “pawns” in the budget negotiations.
Pennsyltucky Politics on the budget
Today, Brett Lieberman of the Patriot-News blogged about the seven-day budget countdown.
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.
Altoona Mirror tells Gov./Legislators to keep hands off rainy day fund
Although it may be drizzling, with a few passing storms, in PA’s economy, the Altoona Mirror editorialized today that we have not yet reached emergency status. Therefore, the Legislature and Rendell shouldn’t even be considering dipping into the state’s rainy day fund.
Slow economy has state revenue numbers lagging
The PA Dept. of Revenue collected $1.8 billion for the General Fund in May — $142.2 million less than expected. Revenue numbers have come in below estimates twice before, but never to the severe degree they have for May.
Budget Update: June 23rd
Business as usual: Talks continue between the Governor’s office and legislative leaders, Republicans think Dems are spending too much, and Rendell continues to talk about furloughs.
If a deal is not hashed out during leader and Gov. negotiations, the House is set to vote on over 135+ amendments on the Floor this week.
Will legislators watch fireworks with the family? Deweese thinks yes.
House Majority Leader Bill Deweese (D-Greene) thinks that this year’s budget could be worked out by the July 4th holiday, while other lawmakers fear that negotiations could run past mid-July, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.