Analysis: State budget delay cloaks politicians in shame
HARRISBURG -- It took 101 days to pass a state budget, longer than the Battle of the Bulge and more time than it took the Marines to capture Iwo Jima during World War II. There was no heroism, though, in the state budget battle of 2009. Several legislative leaders apologized to citizens, Gov. Ed Rendell called the delay "unconscionable," and former state senator U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Chester County, a candidate for governor, on the 100th day of the standoff last week called it a "national...

Pa. governor: Budget differences narrower, compromise coming after talks with top lawmakers
HARRISBURG, PA. — Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania's legislative leaders are making progress again toward a budget agreement after the collapse of a previous deal. Rendell spoke briefly with reporters while leaving his Capitol offices Sunday night following a meeting with top House and Senate Democrats. Rendell says he believes "there's going to be a compromise" and that the differences between Democrats and the Senate's Republican majority "are narrowing substantially." The...

Legislature sends $27.8 billion budget bill to Rendell
HARRISBURG -- The state is a giant step closer to a budget now that the Senate this afternoon approved a $27.8 billion spending plan already passed by the House. It's possible that a budget deal could be signed tonight, even though lawmakers still haven't agreed on details of a plan to legalize blackjack, poker and other casino table games, which would provide upwards of $200 million a year to balance the budget. Gov. Ed Rendell can sign the spending bill, revenue bill and fiscal code, but...