STATE BUDGET DEAL NOT REACHED IN PENNSYLVANIA

Lawmakers in Harrisburg were not able to reach a decision on a state budget before last Thursday’s deadline.  State officials say the budget talks have been deadlocked on several spending issues, most notably on the amount of new aid to be spent on public schools. Without new budget legislation signed into law,  the state will lose the authority to make some payments. However, officials say the impasse can last several weeks before any effect on services is felt.