State of Pennsylvania Facing a Shutdown Over Budget

Pennsylvania residents have had their fill of government faux pas. Escapades in recent years include a "thief in the night" pay raise, the casino controversies, and of course, spending disagreements. However, not since the 1991 has the State of Pennsylvania shut down due to a budget impasse. The Senate has been unable to reach an agreement with Governor Ed Rendell and the House over the 2007 - 2008 budget, which means that some services in Pennsylvania will end as of July 9.

In June, Pennsylvania Senators voted on a budget and sent it to the House. However, the House rejected the bill, and now residents in Pennsylvania will be the ones to suffer. As in typical political fashion, each side is blaming the other for the failure to come to terms with issues that affect Pennsylvania residents.

Senate members insist that Governor Rendell has thrown a monkey wrench into the process by demanding that they also pass unrelated budget issues at the same time. Legislative "add-ons" that have nothing to do with the actual main point are common among lawmakers, but Pennsylvania Senators object to muddying the budget waters. They will hold public budget hearings to address key issues and to inform the public about the pending legislation.

The result of this debacle is that more than 20,000 state workers will be unemployed. Furlough notices went out on July 2 telling those who are considered "non essential" personnel to stay home if a budget is not in place.

WGAL in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, posted a list of various services and offices that will close if a budget is not passed this week. Included are state park campgrounds, driver license centers, and museums and historic sites. The newly opened Pennsylvania casinos were expected to close as well, but House Bill 1287, which is awaiting House passage this week, would save them.

Governor Rendell told reporters, "I want to remind them they are looking at the mayor who took a 40-day transit strike in Philadelphia." Associated Press relayed the ominous message via various media outlets in Pennsylvania, including the Sharon Herald. The warning was meant as a scare tactic for legislators to pass the Governor's proposals, or else. The Senate insists that they will not make hasty decisions about important issues, such as health-care cuts and transportation. They also have taken issue with the fact that Governor Rendell wants to increase taxes on a population that simply cannot afford them. They insist that Pennsylvania "live within its means."

Pennsylvania voters, as well as those around the country, have been calling for legislation reform for years. Many want lawmakers to vote on bills without the attached items, which often are unrelated to the original topic. If such reform were in place, certainly parts of Pennsylvania's budget would have been spared.

This is not the first time that Governor Rendell and Pennsylvania lawmakers have been late paying the bills. KDKA news published an article by Associated Press pointing out that every budget under his tenure was passed after the June 30 deadline. His second term continues the trend.

Sources:
"26,000 Workers May Lose Jobs As Pa. Budget Stalls," WGAL URL: http://www.wgal.com/hotlinks/13612655/detail.html Accessed July 5, 2007

Tough talks set to resume on Pa. budget, Associated Press URL: http://www.sharon-herald.com/theap/local_story_182214418.html Accessed July 5, 2007

Associated Press "Pa. Budget Free at Start of Fiscal Year" URL: http://kdka.com/local/local_story_182065923.html Accessed July 5, 2007