PA Governor Rendell Urges Conference Committee To Focus On Delivering Workable Budget;...

PA Governor Rendell Urges Conference Committee To Focus On Delivering Workable
Budget; Says Additional Testimony Not Needed

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell
today released the following statement on why administration officials will
not respond to calls from Republicans to testify before the legislative budget
conference committee:

"Over the past six months every top administration official who has been asked
to testify before legislative committees on budget matters has done so; and
some of them have done so several times. We have given freely of our time and
expertise by honoring each and every request by legislative leaders with what
must amount to hundreds of hours of testimony and meetings.

"We have conferenced. We have compromised. I've met face to face with each and
every one of the conferees. In an unprecedented 11 hour marathon, I went
through the budget line by line by line. What additional information could
possibly be ascertained that hasn't already been provided?

"Conference committee members are well aware of the contents of the Senate's
budget bill, the House's budget bill and the administration's budget
proposals. If they are just now beginning to re-call witnesses who have
already testified throughout the process, then it is clear they would rather
delay than negotiate, compromise, or lead.

"The time is now for the conference committee to take the information they
already have and use it to negotiate an acceptable budget. As nearly a month
has elapsed since the July 1 deadline, the people of Pennsylvania should not
tolerate another day of procrastination, posturing and delay."

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit
www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:Ken Snyder
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Ken Snyder of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116