state budget

Poll says voters disapprove of Rendell's budget, turnpike, I-80 plans

August 5th, 2008, posted by RobHop

A slim majority of Pennsylvanians like the job Ed Rendell is doing as governor, but most disapprove of his handling of the budget, and of his plan to give a Spanish company control of the turnpike and put tolls on Interstate 80, a poll shows.

The latest Quinnipiac University poll of voters across the state, released this morning, said 54 percent approve of the job Gov. Rendell is doing. Only 40 percent, though, say he is doing a good job handling the budget. Just 29 percent favor his plans for the turnpike and to make I-80 a toll road.

The legislature, amid the Bonusgate investigation, got approval from only a third of the voters, the poll shows.  read more »

Lawmakers could be close to budget deal

June 26th, 2008, posted by RobHop

Negotiations on a 2008-09 state budget could culminate in a handshake agreement by the end of the week, improving the chances that 25,000 state workers would not face furloughs Tuesday.

The state’s fiscal year ends Monday. Gov. Ed Rendell has said he probably would hold off on shutting down government operations on Tuesday if a budget deal is close.

If the talks stay on track through Friday, House Republican Leader Sam Smith said Wednesday, the House and Senate could begin voting on budget bills Monday and could send them to Rendell by July 2.

For the first time this week, legislative leaders had several hours of talks with Rendell aides Wednesday. “Everybody’s talking. That’s always a good sign,” said Greg Fajt, Rendell’s chief of staff.  read more »

Congressional Democrats Forget Key Part of Obama's Relief Package?

June 12th, 2008, posted by Nate W

Cross posted at myDD.

CQ Politics is reporting on the Democratic leadership's desire for a second package to strengthen the economy that largely lines up with Barack Obama's plans. But are Congressional Dems omitting aid to state governments, one of the key planks of Obama's plan?  read more »

Budget shortfall means Pennsylvania Seniors Suffer as Federal Government Sits Idly By

May 27th, 2008, posted by Nate W

The Philadeplhia Enquirer wrote critically last week about the government’s plan to cut costs in next year’s budget. One of the government's plans involves cutting funding to nursing homes which are already suffering.

This budget flatlines funding for the frail, poor elderly who depend on medical assistance to pay their bills for nursing-home care.

Nursing homes have done what they can to reduce costs, and have even improved the quality of care while dealing with government under-reimbursement. State health data verify that. But another year of inadequate funding could change that picture for many nursing homes and their residents.  read more »

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