Democrats send a budget to GOP-led Pennsylvania Senate
by The Associated Press
Friday July 17, 2009, 6:27 PM

A Democratic spending plan is on its way to the Pennsylvania Senate, which is planning to meet this weekend to take it up. The House voted Friday 104-95 to advance a budget that at $29.1 billion spends more money than Gov. Ed Rendell has proposed.

The plan that passed the House doesn't contain the income tax increase Rendell wants, but it also doesn't explain how it would fund nearly $1.3 billion for the State System of Higher Education, community colleges and student loans.

Republicans who control the Senate are insistent that the budget not include any broad-based tax increases.

Gov. Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania income tax increase plan isn't dead
by MARK SCOLFORO, The Associated Press
Friday July 17, 2009, 5:00 PM

Gov. Ed Rendell said Friday he has not abandoned his proposal for a temporary increase in the state's personal income tax, calling it the fairest and easiest way to balance Pennsylvania's overdue budget.
The idea of increasing any broad-based tax has run into stiff headwinds from Republicans as well as a fair number of Democrats worried about how it might affect the economy or their own re-election prospects, prompting rumors that the proposal was dead.


A weak revenue year and the possibility of deep cuts to government programs has led Rendell and his Democratic allies to float a number of tax increase proposals. And that's a major sticking point as negotiators attempt to find common ground on a state spending plan already 17 days past due.

Public Service Announcement

Hey guys, I'm glad you all want to share your thoughts about the new Harry Potter film. However, since most people have YET TO SEE IT, would you all mind putting them under cuts or putting up some kind of spoiler warning or *SOMETHING*?

I'm seriously thinking of going out to WickedFaire next year. However, having someone to share a hotel room with, mainly for cost reasons, would be a great help.

I was just wondering if anyone here on my f'list would be willing to share a room with me. Now remember, I don't bite, unless asked or provoked. ;-)

I just said to a co-worker "Going to an appt, she is?"!

Seriously, I wasn't even watching "Star Wars" last night, so I can't even use that as an excuse!

People, I'm lunch. I am at lunch til 12.30PM. I have the same lunch hour from 11.30AM to 12.30PM EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

If my desk light is off, I'm at lunch or on break. That's the way it always has been and always will be! Thank you!

For all of those on my friends list who are working for the Comm. of PA right now, I found the website to use to make complaints to the Federal Department of Labor about not getting paid, lack of pay on Friday.

It has to occur on the day of pay or later, we can't call Thurs. for Fri.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/fairpay/complaint.htm

If you all wouldn't mind keeping the mother of my friend blood_of_winter in your thoughts and prayers and send some good vibes. Thanks.

Eshelman: Lock up Pennsylvania budget makers until agreement is reached

by NANCY ESHELMAN, For The Patriot-News Saturday July 11, 2009, 4:18 PM

If I were the queen of Pennsylvania, I'd issue an edict.
On June 15 of every year, all the people involved in producing the state's budget would be locked in a room. They couldn't come out until they had an approved plan in hand.

From what I understand, the budget actually is the work of only a handful of people, legislative leaders, the governor and the like. The rest of the Legislature just does what it's told.

So take this handful and lock them up. Sequester them, like you would a jury. Tell them, "You can't come out until you make a decision."

The July 1 deadline comes and goes and the powers-that-be shrug. They threaten state workers with furloughs and lay-offs and payless pay days.

It's not the state workers' fault. It's the people we elected who simply aren't doing the work we elected them to do.

Imagine your boss giving you one large project to complete every year. Imagine that year after year you blow off the deadline, throw up your hands and scurry home to eat barbecue and watch fireworks with your family and friends.

In the real world, the boss would take extreme measures. You'd be signing up for unemployment and someone else would be completing the annual project before the holiday weekend.

So I propose we give them a taste of the real world. Lock them up. Station a couple of burly guys outside the door.

No one goes in; no one comes out.

Call over to the prison at Camp Hill, tell them to mix up some extra swill, and feed these guys what the inmates are eating.

Bet that would speed the process along.

If I were the queen and you gave me a red pencil, I bet I could produce a budget by the end of the week. What they need to do, and what I would do with my red pencil, is cut the fluff. It's what most of us have done at home.

We're living with fewer vacations, cutting back on restaurant meals. We're finding cheaper ways to entertain the kids.

You don't take money from education or slash medical care. You're not helping society if you cut funds for drug and alcohol rehab programs.

But designing a budget is not my project. These aren't my decisions.

We elected these people to do this job. It's past time for them to do it.

Gov. Ed Rendell to address Pennsylvania budget impasse Monday morning

by The Patriot-News Sunday July 12, 2009, 11:45 PM

Gov. Ed Rendell has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Monday to talk about the budget impasse as the deadlock in the state Capitol continues.

Nearly two weeks into the 2009-10 fiscal year that began July 1, the state government remains without a budget. There were not a lot of high-level talks on the state budget impasse over the weekend.

The governor has proposed raising the state income tax to balance the budget, but Republican lawmakers are resisting any effort to raise taxes. Even some of Rendell's fellow Democrats aren't ready to sign off on a tax increase.

Shake hands, please: Legislators know what they need to do to pass budget

by Patriot-News Editorial Board Monday July 13, 2009, 6:00 AM

We in Pennsylvania are truly in the midst of a budget impasse like no other.

House Democrats say they will vote a $27.3 billion spending plan, created by Senate Republicans, out of committee so there can be a vote by the full House later this month.

This is the same budget proposal that Democratic Gov. Rendell has spent the last two months slamming to anyone who will listen, saying its funding cuts are too deep and that, in the end, it will mean widespread hardship and higher local taxes.

House Democrats say they don't like it either, but they seem to be ready to call the Senate GOP's bluff by putting the bare-bones budget on the table for a vote.

Also welcome my new friend miintikwa to the group.

She is also another tarot card reader, which is always a plus with me! :-D

"Wel-come!"

</ fake cheesy German accent >

Everyone, please welcome my new friend cypherindigo to our little 'party' here.

She's also a "budget hostage" of the Commonwealth of PA.

Pennsylvania House GOP pushes its budget plan to end stalemate

by The Associated Press Friday July 10, 2009, 11:48 AM

Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are offering their own spending plan in a bid to resolve the state's budget stalemate.
Republicans outlined a $27.3 billion proposal Friday that would expand gas drilling on state land, provide amnesty to tax scofflaws and achieve balance without new taxes. They'd make bottom-line cuts to many state agencies, dip into the rainy day contingency fund, draw from an account to pay doctors' malpractice premiums and eliminate so-called "walking around money" grants that are doled out at lawmakers' discretion.

Pennsylvania ended its fiscal year June 30 with a revenue shortfall of nearly $3.3 billion.

Gov. Ed Rendell and his Democratic allies in the Legislature are calling for a mixture of cuts and tax increases.

House Democrats announced Thursday that they will vote a $27.3 billion spending plan, backed by Senate Republicans, out of the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, sending it to the floor for potential final consideration.

Let's start toilet papering the houses of the state senators and reps and the Gov's house in Harrisburg!

It might be kind of childish, but it'd be a fun way to vent out our frustration!

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." - Gandhi

Ed Rendell asks businesses for patience during state budget crisis

by DANIEL VICTOR, Of The Patriot-News Thursday July 09, 2009, 4:20 PM

It's not just state workers who aren't getting paid until state leaders pass a budget. The hard times are trickling down to the private sector, where businesses that depend on the state for contracted work are being told to wait patiently, and not to expect any checks anytime soon.
Gov. Ed Rendell sent a letter today to about 5,000 vendors, asking for understanding during the legislative squabble.

"We are well aware of the fact that you rely on our ability to pay as much as we rely on the goods and services you supply," Rendell wrote. "As a result of our strong relationship and mutual reliance, we ask you to continue to work with us during the ongoing and difficult budget deliberations."

Though that line wouldn't work with your bill collectors, businesses don't have much choice but to comply. Larger companies can swallow the pill by relying on other profits, while smaller businesses are digging into reserves.

Pennsylvania Democrats power ahead with GOP's budget

by CHARLES THOMPSON, of The Patriot-News Thursday July 09, 2009, 11:22 PM

With partial paydays for state employees potentially a week away, little progress was made on the state budget impasse Thursday.

But new battle lines were set that might at least lead by next week to some movement between starkly different positions on government spending and taxes.

House Democrats announced Thursday that they will vote a $27.3 billion spending plan, backed by Senate Republicans, out of the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, sending it to the floor for potential final consideration.

That Senate plan is the same one Gov. Ed Rendell's public relations machine has spent the last two months kicking the tar out of, arguing that it sets the stage for higher property taxes through lowered state spending for public schools and human services, canceled highway projects and closed state parks.

In what might prove to be a move of tactical genius or a blunder of epic proportions, Democrats, who have not been able to muster support for Rendell's $28.8 billion plan and the tax increases to balance it, switched to a position of calling for a vote on the Senate plan, once it is balanced by $1.7 billion in further cuts.

The PA House is Looking at Senate's 850.

Well, it's not perfect by any shot, but at least things are moving and they're not at a complete deadlock.

Day 8 of the budget impasse.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/07/pa_state_budget_talks_make_lit.html

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/07/no_indication_when_state_budge.html