Deadlock Spurs Partial Shutdown Of Pennsylvania

Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania and the Republican-controlled Senate remained deadlocked over a $27.3 billion budget, prompting an unprecedented furlough of 25,000 state workers and partial shutdown of government services.

Republican legislators want to reach a budget deal before considering Mr. Rendell's proposals for a surcharge on energy bills, a statewide smoking ban, new mass transit, and road funding and borrowing for a Pittsburgh hockey arena. Mr. Rendell, a Democrat, says those issues should be addressed as part of budget talks.