July 1st, 2009
With the June 30th fiscal year deadline now passed and no budget signed, legislative leaders continue to meet behind closed doors to try and hammer out a compromise budget. To see the latest articles covering the budget, please see below.
Lawmakers miss deadline for state budget - Angela Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rendell: Pa. budget deal likely won’t come soon - Mark Scolforo, Associated Press
Budget impasse means state lawmakers won’t get paid today - Jan Murphy, Patriot News
State workers prepare for weeks without pay as budget deadline looms - Rick Seltzer, Patriot News
Bill to expand Pa. health insurance sparks debate - Michael Vitez, Philadelphia Inquirer
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June 29th, 2009
As the state legislature heads into town for yet another week, only days remain for leaders to come up with a budget agreement. To see what news was made over the weekend, please see the articles below.
Rendell proposes more Penna. budget cuts - Amy Worden, Philadelphia Inquirer
Files prompt grand jury to look at DeWeese again - Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Businesses cool to Rendell’s income-tax proposal - David Dagan, Central Penn Business Journal
Compromise needed to reach Pennsylvania budget deal - Patriot News
What are the hang-ups in Pennsylvania’s state budget? - Charles Thompson, Patriot News
State Police at center of latest budget squabble - John Baer, Philadelphia Daily News
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June 26th, 2009
As the week draws to a close, breaking news was made late last night regarding one of the potential candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2010. To see those stories, and more, please see below.
Don Cunningham won’t seek governor’s office - Darryl Isherwood, Allentown Morning Call
Federal stimulus, state budget woes fuel uncertainty in school districts’ budgets - Jan Murphy, The Patriot News
Toomey criticizes Specter, deficit - Nick Malawskey, Centre Daily Times
Toomey Picks Up Another Endorsement In 2010 Pennsylvania Senate Race - Eric Kleefeld, Associated Press
Secret Service to secure G-20 in Pittsburgh - Jerome L. Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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June 25th, 2009
As the week nears a close, and a budget appears nowhere near agreed upon, news was made during the past few days regarding new poll numbers, table gaming, and Dan Rooney. To see those articles, and more, please see below.
Poll: Specter’s numbers dive since ‘conversion’ - Bob Warner, Philadelphia Daily News
Poll: Pennsylvanians prefer program cuts to tax hike - Scranton Times-Tribune
Table games could yield $165 million - Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pa. high court nominees each raise more than $250K - Peter Jackson, Associated Press
Rooney a hit at confirmation hearing - Daniel Malloy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pennsylvania expands COBRA options - Yvonne Feeley, The Patriot News
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June 23rd, 2009
With the state legislature back in Harrisburg for yet another week of session, news was made concerning the ever closer budget deadline. To see those stories and more, please see the articles below.
Rendell, Scarnati bringing budget battle to TV - Jan Murphy, The Patriot News
Pa. Democrats’ leaders back hike in income tax - Amy Worden, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rendell gathers his forces for tax battle - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pa. to offer residents free legal, financial help in crisis - Kaitlynn Riely, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Specter plans hearing on VA prostate cancer treatment - Marie McCullough, Philadelphia Inquirer
State graduation exam returned to the shelf - Eleanor Chute, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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June 12th, 2009
As another week draws to a close and we get ever nearer a state budget deadline, news was made during the past two days regarding former Representative Mike Veon and current U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak. To see those stories and more, please see below.
What in God’s name is Joe Sestak Doing? - William Bender, Philadelphia Daily News
Veon case gets new judge - Charles Thompson, The Patriot News
Legislator seeks to tax owners of illegal poker machines - Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
State to put safeguards in emergency heating program - Barbara Miller, The Patriot News
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June 11th, 2009
During the past two days, the workings of the state Capitol have been busy. With a budget debate that is receiving massive amounts of attention throughout the state, some members on Tuesday took to the Capitol rotunda to stage a rally against tax hikes. Also, yesterday saw fierce debate on the House floor regarding health care. To see both those stories and more, please see the articles below.
Health debate in Pa. House hits partisan divide - Mark Scolforo, The Associated Press
Rendell Signs Four Health-Care Bills - Associated Press
Protesters rally against tax hikes at state Capitol - Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Biden visting Pa. bridge to tout stimulus benefits - Centre Daily Times
State lawmaker wants to block heavier trucks - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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June 9th, 2009
With both the state House and Senate this week occupied with budget talk, news was made over the past few days regarding PA’s use of federal stimulus funds and I-81 project funding. To see those stories and more, please see below.
Pa. may turn down $273 million in stimulus aid - Tom Infield, Philadelphia Inquirer
Specter, Casey announce completion of rail study, I-81 project funding - Nicholas Sohr, Scranton Times-Tribune
Little change in Pa. seen from high court’s ruling - Robert Moran, Philadelphia Inquirer
Pa. Senate OKs bill to reveal more gas shale data - Associated Press
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June 5th, 2009
As the week ends and we get another week closer to the budget deadline of July 1st, news was made over the past two days regarding Arlen Specter and tax increases. To see those stories and more, please see below.
Specter seeks to reassure his new party - Thomas Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Inquirer
Tax increase needed to erase state’s $3.2 billion deficit: Evans - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Riled senators stonewall Rendell on graduation tests - Dan Hardy, Philadelphia Inquirer
Veon, others state case to drop bonus charges - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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June 3rd, 2009
During both a press conference in the Capitol and a TV appearance on PNC, Governor Rendell yesterday made news concerning the state budget. To see those stories and more, please see the articles below.
Rendell: Tax hike not ‘off the table’ - Charles Thompson, The Patriot News
Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates urge cuts before any taxes- John Micek, Allentown Morning Call
Rendell taking at least $400 million out of his budget - Charles Thompson, The Patriot News
Veon court filing attacks AG, implicates DeWeese - Associated Press
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