Pa. Workers Rally Downtown, Statewide Over Budget Impasse

State employees turned out by the hundreds Tuesday to protest a Rendell administration policy that requires them to work without pay as the state budget remains in limbo.

“Break Out” rallies were held locally in downtown Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Rochester and Oil City so state workers could voice their disapproval.

If no budget is passed by August, Gov. Ed Rendell has instructed the state’s 77,000 workers to apply for food stamps.

"This ain't funny, we want our money!" chanted about 500 workers who joined in a lunchtime rally on the front steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg as the state government finished its second week without a budget in place.

Dozens of protesters, some wearing an orange sticker that identified them as a "budget hostage," went inside afterward to march briefly through the halls where legislators are gathered.

Across the state, labor unions organized similar demonstrations and informational picketing at state offices, prisons and other work sites to underscore employees' displeasure.

The state constitution bars the government from making most payments without the authorization of a state budget, and there still is no sign that Rendell and Republicans who control the state Senate are even close to a deal.

On Friday, unless a budget is approved and signed, more than 33,000 state workers will receive only part of their usual paycheck. More than 44,000 additional workers would see even smaller paychecks a week later. Beginning July 31, normally a payday, they would receive no pay at all.

Workers would receive all their back pay once a budget is passed, and their health coverage is not affected by the budget stalemate.

Previous Stories: July 14, 2009: New Pa. Budget Plan Surfaces -- But No Breakthrough July 13, 2009: Rendell Pushes For Income Tax Hike; Republicans Pull For Program Cuts July 10, 2009: Unsigned Pa. Budget Means No More Pay For State Troopers July 10, 2009: Pa. Dems To Advance GOP Budget They Have Assailed July 9, 2009: Rendell, State Dems Meet To Work On GOP Budget July 7, 2009: Rendell, Lawmakers Hold Brief Budget Negotiation July 1, 2009: GOP: Rendell's Tax Increase Makes No Sense During Tough Times June 30, 2009: State Budget Holdup Could Affect Police Pay June 30, 2009: Pa. To Begin 7th Straight Year Without Budget