State Capitol Roundup

Here's the latest State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147:

State Workers to be Paid as Budget Impasse Continues

As the current budget stalemate continues over the governor and Democrat leaders' insistence on increased spending and higher taxes, Gov. Ed Rendell this week signed a budget that would pay more than 70,000 state employees and ensure certain essential government operations continue. However, he vetoed more than 250 other line items that would provide funding for basic and higher education, community action centers, and numerous other government programs and services. House Republicans maintain that while this temporary solution releases state workers as hostages, thousands of others across the state who rely on vital state and county services will now be used as leverage for a tax increase. Efforts to achieve a final budget agreement now return to the hands of the six-member House-Senate conference committee. For the latest budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com

House GOP Opposes Bill That Would Lead To Tax Increase

Legislation that would establish funding formulas for basic and special education subsidies passed the House Education Committee this week. House Republicans opposed House Bill 11 due to a lack of public hearings and because the funding increases called for by the governor and House Democrats would require a broad-based tax increase. In contrast, House Republicans have crafted a plan that uses federal stimulus dollars to help provide increases to every school district in the state, without the need for a tax increase. The bill was passed by the committee along party lines and now heads to the full House for consideration. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com

Unemployment Benefits Extended For Thousands of Pennsylvanians

As thousands of Pennsylvanians struggle to find work, the General Assembly passed a law to extend unemployment benefits an additional seven weeks for nearly 20,000 people whose benefits have expired or will expire soon. Act 30 of 2009 allows the state to access federal stimulus funds to cover the cost of providing the additional unemployment benefits if Pennsylvania's total unemployment rate is higher than 8 percent, which it has been since May. Pennsylvania workers would be eligible for a total of 79 weeks of unemployment benefits, as long as the federal funds are available. Eligible recipients will be notified by the Department of Labor and Industry via mail. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com