Pocono News Section

Temporary Bridge Budget Signed

Temporary Bridge Budget Signed - Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 10:10PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 @ 10:10pm EST
HARRISBURG- Most state workers will get paychecks under a new bridge budget signed by governor Ed Rendell. The budget bill takes care of state worker's payroll and essential public protection.

Governor Rendell signed Senate Bill 850 Wednesday morning in Harrisburg. It provides state workers what they've missed for weeks: a paycheck.

One of the largest state worker union's, AFSCME, says Wednesday's signing is bittersweet. "We're extremely pleased that state employees are finally going to get compensated," said David Antle, an executive at the union's district office in Dunmore.

Antle says union workers want a permanent budget solution. Antle said, "Most state employees are in crisis mode. I mean when you can't pay the babysitter and put food on the table and pay the mortgage, what other kind of mode could they be in?"

The bridge budget also pays for essential public protection. The governors office says that means things like emergency management agency funding. The Department of Corrections will also get necessary money through this bill.

Governor Rendell says finalizing a full state budget is next in line. "It does not solve our budget crisis. We have work to do and we should get back to doing it," said Governor Rendell.

If a finalized budget isn't passed soon, public school funding will threatened. When the budget is passed, the governor says 300 to 800 state workers could be laid off.

About 1,500 state workers are not included in this bill. More legislation is expected to pass to include them.