Posted on 07/02/2007 8:40:48 AM PDT by ChicagoConservative27
Rush is giving away iPhones?? Cool!
NVA:
Did you hear that a PUBLIC SCHOOL is putting footbaths in for Muslims kids?? Where is the ACLU on this??
One thing that struck me when we were in Franklin, TN when we toured a couple of homes that were the scenes of the Battle of Franklin was— how the tour guides went out of their way to say these were *AMERICANS*... every one. They treated each side with equal reverence for their bravery and patriotism.
Stalemate emerges over state budget, Rendell’s other priorities
By MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press Writer, The Associated Press07/01/2007
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Efforts to break a deadlock over Gov. Ed Rendell’s priorities all but collapsed Saturday with Republicans and Democrats blaming each other for failing to enact a new state budget before the fiscal year ended at midnight.
The House rejected a Senate budget, and the Republican-controlled Senate adjourned without voting on a massive transit and highways spending plan after the leaders of that chamber declared that no budget agreement was in sight.
Without a budget, about 25,000 “nonessential” state workers could be furloughed by next weekend, although that decision is not expected before Thursday. Slots casinos, state parks and grant programs would be shut down.
Rendell, a Democrat, has tied the budget to movement on his plans to address health care, transportation, energy, biotechnology investment and more borrowing for development projects.
“We are exactly where I feared we would be,” Rendell said in a release issued following the House vote. “This is why I repeatedly urged legislators not to wait until the final three weeks of June to act on the budget and related bills.”
While rank-and-file senators are heading home, leaders will stay to negotiate, said Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, the chamber’s president pro tempore.
The House said it would not meet on Sunday, but members will have to return to the Capitol within six hours if there is a breakthrough. Regular House sessions were announced for next week, including on Independence Day, but the Senate will otherwise be dark.
Scarnati accused Rendell’s top aides of changing the governor’s priorities and said it is wrong for Rendell to tie his agenda items to his signature on the budget.
“To hold the budget and Pennsylvanians with a gun to their head is unacceptable,” Scarnati told reporters.
Rendell’s spokesman Chuck Ardo responded that Rendell has been willing to be flexible on his agenda, and he insisted that Rendell’s priorities have remained the same since his February budget speech outlined them.
Besides, he said, “the governor doesn’t have a budget bill on his desk to hold hostage.”
The House voted 102-96 _ with only two Republicans crossing party lines _ to reject the $27 billion budget bill that passed the Senate 49-1 on June 20 but is opposed by Rendell because it cuts education, job training and economic development programs.
“I cannot vote to support $5.3 million in cuts to school lunch programs,” said Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks. “I cannot vote to cut customized job training programs. And most of all, I cannot vote to cut $145 million from our education budget.”
Rep. Mario Civera, R-Delaware, argued that the House should approve the Senate’s budget, in part, to avoid public criticism over missing the fiscal year deadline.
“’Here they go again, fifth year in a row that they can’t get their work done on time,’” Civera said. “And that’s exactly the message that we’re going to deliver to the people of Pennsylvania.”
Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, contended that missing the deadline in recent years has not caused any major problems.
“We have a pretty robust economy in this state. We’re not going to raise taxes. We’re within days, I believe, of reaching a compromise,” DeWeese said.
Rendell will only sign a budget that does not drastically cut programs to help “the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians” and is accompanied by a transportation bill that includes at least $500 million for mass transit, Ardo said.
On the highways and transit bill, House Majority Whip Keith McCall, D-Carbon, said an agreement between the House and Senate was mostly in place.
“It’s the other issues that we’re dealing with that are more cumbersome in getting the whole package accomplished,” he said.
The Senate plan was amended Saturday to increase the amount of new money for highways and mass transit next year from $700 million to $750 million. That amount would rise to $900 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and at a 2.5 percent annual rate after that.
The funding plan would rely on more than $13 billion in borrowing until a 25 percent turnpike toll increase in 2009 and newly placed tolls on I-80 pick up the burden. Tolls would rise at a 3 percent clip annually after that.
Every budget during Rendell’s first four years in office was enacted after the June 30 deadline, although in his first year only the education portion was late. This year, for the first time during Rendell’s tenure, Democrats control a chamber of the Legislature, a one-seat margin in the House.
The Anti-Christian Liberty Unit? (there’s your answer).
Je croix que c'est une bonne idee. (I agree)
Indeed and thats way it be should be
Great!
Hello.
Is that you LV?
If you can ever get down to Franklin, it’s worth the trip.
RWI:
I know...I might see if I can win one...
Is this for subscribers only?
No. It’s from a local car show here in Kerrville though... ;o)
Thanks sounds like a great place to see
NVA:
True...
Isn’t the 2nd the day that Chamberlain pulled his Congressional Medal of Honor winning bluff?
Has Rush swamped himself? RushInAHurry signup erroring out!
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