With the verbal agreement reached yesterday among legislative leaders on the state budget, the task now before the General Assembly is to vote and pass a state spending plan.  To get caught up on all the latest on the state budget, please see the articles below.

State budget nears - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Austere budget deal goes to Pennsylvania Senate – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pennsylvania’s budget agreement is ‘not without pain,’ Gov. Ed Rendell says – Jan Murphy, The Patriot News
Accord reached on Pa. budget – John Micek, Allentown Morning Call
Verdict costs Veon $50,340 state pension - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Prosecutors get go-ahead to appeal Fumo sentence - Craig McCoy, The Philadelphia Inquirer

With no state budget agreement reached over the weekend, the PA General Assembly and legislative leaders return to Harrisburg this week with focus likely on trying to reach an agreement by the end of the fiscal year deadline. To get caught up on all the latest political news from over the weekend, please see the articles below.

No deal reached on Pennsylvania budget - Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Three days until budget deadline; another impasse likely - Scranton Times Tribune

Republican state lawmaker calls for party to ‘lead on environmental issues’ - The Patriot News

It’s the Guv’s behavior that fuels the rumor mill - John Baer, Philadelphia Daily News

Pennsylvania’s budget shortfall aids drive to privatize liquor stores - Kari Arden, The Patriot News

With the end of the week comes yet no resolution on a spending plan for the Commonwealth. Leaders from both parties continue to meet behind closed doors in order to try and reach a conclusion. To see all the latest political news from around the state, please see the articles below.

Bill’s failure in U.S. Senate could blow state budget - Daniel Malloy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Not everyone sees humor in governor’s bobblehead stunt – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pa.’s record campaign donors: Trio give $5 million plus to Sen. Williams - Tom Infield, Philadelphia Inquirer

Long time to election puts the ‘pain’ in campaign – John Baer, Philadelphia Daily News

Judge seeks removal from 2nd Veon trial – Pittsburgh Tribune Review

With intense state budget discussions continuing behind closed doors, the week so far has seen its fair share of political news and notes. To get caught up on all the latest, please see the articles below.

Senate race too close to call, poll says - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell wants $354M more for K-12 grades - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Federal agents search home of Mellow aide - John Sullivan, Philadelphia Inquirer

Megan’s Law website inefficient, auditor general says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Two lawsuits allege Corbett has mismanaged Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office - Tom Infield, Philadelphia Inquirer

With the General Assembly back in Harrisburg, and with Governor Rendell requesting that they not leave until a budget is completed, it is expected that the state budget will be the primary focus of lawmakers this week. To get caught up on all the latest political news from over the weekend, please see the articles below.

Allegheny County councilman to lead state Democrats - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Difficulty to get bills passed in Pennsylvania a double-edged sword - Evan Trowbridge, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

More Pennsylvania corruption trials may follow Veon’s conviction - Philadelphia Inquirer

State budget rehab ahead? - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Labels fit Senate candidates - Colby Itkowitz, Allentown Morning Call

With the end of the week comes political news that occurred from around the state over the past few days. To get caught up on the all the latest, please see the articles below.

Corbett far tops Onorato in cash - Mike Wereschagin, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Former Rep. Mike Veon to be sentenced in Bonusgate case - Associated Press

Sale of governor’s mansion among surplus of ideas to cut state deficit - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pennsylvania tax amnesty’s last day - Angela Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer

With the week flying by, both the General Assembly and Governor Rendell have been busy dealing with a multitude of political issues. To get caught up on all the latest political news from around the state, please see the articles below.

Pennsylvania bill to tax natural gas drilling on hold - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Shale-tax dispute delays Pennsylvania House budget vote - Amy Worden, Philadelphia Inquirer

House approves pension amendment - Robert Swift, Scranton Times Tribune

Pa. seeks at least 12 years for Veon - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. legislators shy away from town hall-style meetings - Salena Vito, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

With June ticking by, and the days count down until a state budget is due, both chambers of the General Assembly return to Harrisburg this morning to continue work on a state budget, and other legislation. To get caught up on all the latest political news from around the state, please see the articles below.

Sestak, Toomey on opposite sides of energy debate - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania extraction tax may be price of Marcellus gas - Associated Press

Pennsylvania politics: It’s a guy thing - Will Bunch, Philadelphia Daily News

Tom Corbett says he won’t raise taxes, will cut spending if elected Pennsylvania’s governor - Barbara Miller, The Patriot News

Sen. Mellow’s house for sale - Joe McDonald, Scranton Times Tribune

With the end of the week comes a variety of political news that occurred over the past few days. To get caught up on all the latest political news from around the state, please see the articles below.

Potential loss in medicaid aid could drive budget deficit to $2.4 billion and result in massive layoffs - Robert Swift, Scranton Times-Tribune

$141 million awaits low-achieving schools in Pennsylvania - Amy Crawford, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Schedule announced for testing Pa. table games - Philadelphia Inquirer

Critz begins to settle in to Murtha’s quarters - Daniel Malloy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DEP hires petroleum engineer to study well blowout - Andrew Maykuth, Philadelphia Inquirer

With the General Assembly in Harrisburg for the past few days, political news of all variety has been occurring. To get caught up on all the latest, please see the articles below.

Rendell: Education budget off limits - Borys Krawczeniuk, Scranton Times Tribune

‘Man up,’ Rendell tells state lawmakers - Mike Wereschagin, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

House speaker blasts PennDOT unit closing - Kari Arden, The Patriot News

Rendell makes final push in tax amnesty program - Timothy McNulty, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania drilling tax unlikely in 2011, Scarnati says - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune Review