TIME TO PASS A BUDGET NOW, O'PAKE SAYS

          Harrisburg, July 9, 2007 -- Senate Democratic Whip Michael A. O'Pake (D-Berks) said today that it was time for an end to the political posturing and time for the passage of a new state budget.
          In Senate floor remarks in reaction to the furlough of state workers and the interruption of state services because of the state's failure to pass a budget, O'Pake said "Pennsylvania's people deserve better.
          "We need to get this job done now.  It's a shame it has gone this far.  The Senate passed a no-tax-increase, balanced budget on a vote of 49-1 almost three weeks ago (June 20).
          "With a budget surplus of $650 million -- and clearly no need for a tax increase -- going another day without a budget doesn't make sense.  And neither does the fact that services have been interrupted and thousands of hard-working state workers have been furloughed.  These families live paycheck to paycheck and no amount of rhetoric will make up for the lost paychecks and denied state services.                         
          "It's time for a cease fire on any and all political posturing.
          "Nobody can afford to dig in their heels any longer because, at the end of the day, nobody wins by dragging this out.
          "Senate Democrats are ready, willing and able to get this done," said Senator O'Pake.
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