GOP Leaders Question Governor's Spending Choices

Republicans say they’re puzzled by some of the line items Governor Ed Rendell decided to fund or blue-line in this week’s bridge budget for Pennsylvania.
Governor Rendell said the bridge budget was meant to pay state employees who “provide for immediate critical public health and safety services.

The spending plan includes 19.5 million dollars for the Historical and Museum Commission, 805,000 for Chesapeake Bay Pollution Abatement, and 1.5 million dollars for Forest Pest Management, among other line items.
House Republican Minority Leader Sam Smith calls Rendell’s blue-lining “pretty random.”

"Well I guess that just reflects what the governor’s priorities are. Let his own words define his actions. If he thinks that’s the most critical, then I think he’s showing poor judgment."

In the Health Department, partial funding was given to STD screening and treatment programs, but line items for breast and cervical cancer screening, newborn screening and regional poison control centers were cut out.
The bridge budget does restore monthly stipends for the 568 state employees on unpaid military leave with the National Guard.

The budget conference committee had been scheduled to meet Thursday, but the session was postponed due to a death in a participating lawmaker’s family.
Officials from both parties say they don’t know when the next session will be held.