Rendell challenges lawmakers to stay in Harrisburg until budget is done

HARRISBURG - With the budget deadline two weeks away, Gov. Rendell on Wednesday issued a challenge to the legislature: Stay put until the budget bill is signed into law.

"No one should go home; the people of Pennsylvania expect that," Rendell said at a late afternoon news conference. "We are not going to put a necessary sense of urgency on this to get this done unless people make a sacrifice to get it done."

House and Senate leadership indicated a willingness to hunker down to get the budget done.

Also Wednesday, Rendell reiterated that he would be forced to lay off thousands of government workers in July if legislation authorizing $850 million in federal funds for Pennsylvania is not passed in Washington. The measure is stalled in the Senate.

Last year, state budget negotiations dragged on for 101 days past the June 30 deadline as lawmakers and the governor scrapped over a difficult, recession-driven budget.

Legislators return to work on Monday with the House scheduling sessions every weekday through June 30. The Senate has scheduled only six session days between now and June 30.

The House has approved a $29 billion spending plan but cannot agree on a tax package to help cover a budget shortfall. The Senate has not taken any action on the key components of the budget.

"We're committed to it," said Brett Marcy, spokesman for House Majority leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne). "That's what we've been trying to do for 85 days."

Steve Miskin, spokesman for Rep. Sam Smith (R., Jefferson), the House minority leader, said "he's prepared to be here and will be ready to meet whenever the governor calls a meeting."

Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware), said additional days could be added to the upper chamber's schedule if it improves the chances of getting the budget completed.

Sen. Jay Costa (D., Allegheny), the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said he agreed with the governor's call to keep working and added he thinks it's important for rank-and-file members to participate in the process.

"The members of our caucus are willing to do what it takes to get a budget done on time," even if that entails working through weekends between now and June 30, Costa said. "There is a strong desire to get a budget done on time this year."

Inquirer staff writer Angela Couloumbis contributed to this article.