Rendell Signs "Bridge Budget"

Tens of thousands of state workers should get the back pay they've earned during the five-week budget impasse in Pennsylvania by Monday. That's because Governor Ed Rendell today signed a partial state budget.....or a "bridge" as he calls it. After the Pennsylvania House yesterday voted 195-3 to approve the $27 billion Senate Republican-backed budget, Rendell signed it but first cut out about $16 billion.
Rendell says he preserved some vital programs including nearly $6 billion for the Department of Public Welfare but very little for education programs. "I am signing legislation that will simply allow us to pay state employees who provide for immediate critical public health and safety services, and that will send negotiators back to the table to communicate, compromise and get get real about delivering a true budget agreement for Pennsylvania."

Rendell admits this gives him some leverage but he says it's not about him winning a budget battle but rather he funds to see funding for education and health care preserved