Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell asks legislators to prepare to stay until a 2010-11 budget gets done

The June 30 deadline for getting a budget done on time is drawing near, and Gov. Ed Rendell thinks it’s time to really get down to business. He sent a letter to House and Senate leaders asking them to keep all the representatives and senators in Harrisburg, starting on Monday, and remain here until a budget is done.
"It is time to redouble our efforts," Rendell wrote. "That means all of us. ... If the people of Pennsylvania are going to feel pain then we should have no hesitation to feel inconvenienced."



House Democratic leaders, who control the schedule of that chamber, say the governor’s request is unnecessary. They had planning on being in session every day from June 21 through June 30 for months.



"We are committed to doing everything we possibly can to pass a budget by June 30," said House Democratic spokesman Brett Marcy. "That is why we passed a budget and sent it to the Senate nearly three months ago. The governor can rest assured that passing a responsible budget by June 30 is our top priority."

A spokesman for the Senate Republicans, who hold majority control of that chamber, said no decision about the schedule has been made at this point. But spokesman Erik Arneson said, "If it helps complete the budget by June 30, we are very open to considering the idea of adding full session days in the Senate."

From PENNLIVE