Budget Talks at Governor's Residence End With Little Accomplished

HARRISBURG - It doesn't appear much progress was made at the Governor's Mansion in Harrisburg Sunday.   Talks between Governor Ed Rendell and high level lawmakers ended after about two hours.
Lawmakers head back to the Capitol on Monday to pass a plan that will at least pay state workers until a final deal is hammered out.  The House is set to pass a Senate approved budget on Tuesday, but the Governor is expected to veto many of the line items, basically leaving little besides the money to pay state workers.  Friday was a payless payday for 33,000 state employees and many haven't received a full paycheck since July 1st.  After the bill is passed, the workers would soon start collecting back pay. Democrats and Republicans are trying to find middle ground with Republicans wanting to cut programs and Democrats wanting to raise taxes.  Sunday is the 32nd day into the fiscal year without a spending plan in place.  While the state workers may be paid as early as this week, state agencies waiting for funding from Harrisburg will still be waiting until a final spending plan is worked out.