With swipes of the pen that took only seconds, Gov. Rendell tonight signed into law a $27.8 billion state budget that was 101 days in the making.
With his “Edward G. Rendell” on the bills — one setting taxes, the other spending — the governor all but ends the nation’s longest state budget impasse. More importantly, it will speed checks to counties, schools and social service agencies that have been financially strained while waiting 3 1/2 months for their normal state subsidies.
The General Assembly still has work to do.
It must send Rendell several other pieces of legislation that make up the overall budget, including ones that establishes state funding for universities such as Penn State and Temple, as well as a bill to authorizes table game at slots parlors.
Officials said those bills may be delayed until early next week, but would not impede the overall budget.
Speaking for perhaps everyone at the Capitol and across the state, House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) said last night, "I’m just glad it’s over.”
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