Senate looks to raid funds to pay old bills
By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD – In order to pay down overdue bills, Illinois Senate Democrats want to siphon cash from special funds that support myriad projects — including Boy and Girl Scouts, tourism, energy assistance and transit development.
Read More →PA bill looks to bolster ‘high-priority’ jobs in need of workers
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Clark Trucking is looking for drivers, especially experienced, skilled drivers, who can haul water to Marcellus shale drilling sites in massive tractor-trailers.
But that’s not always easy, especially when natural gas prices are high, and business is booming.
“We’re always looking for truck drivers, that’s something we’re looking for all the time,” said human resources director Jeff Andrew, [...]
PA House panel OKs budget bill, locks in spending at $27.6B
GOP leaders aiming for June 13 passage
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House Republicans used some fancy parliamentary tricks to lock in spending at $27.6 billion for next year’s budget Monday.
Read More →Video: Sen. Corman says structural changes necessary in pension plan
Favors change to defined contribution plan
By: Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Reforms to the state’s pension system will have to address structural problems and not simply defer payments to the future, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee said Monday afternoon.
Read More →Lawmakers pressure PA school districts to use savings
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Some Republican lawmakers are outraged about the size of Pennsylvania school districts’ savings accounts.
As first reported by PA Independent last week, the school districts are sitting on a collective $3.2 billion in reserve fund balances.
State Rep. Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery, said for districts to consider laying off teachers and staff [...]


