PA Budget Deficit Grows by $800 Million, Plus More Fees for Lawyers

To fill last year’s overspending, Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Rendell drained all of the state’s reserve funds, including the MCare fund. Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court ruled this raid was illegal, as the fund was promised to pay off medical malpractice awards, which means the state owes about $800 million from the General Fund. This of course, adds to a revenue shortfall that could grow to a billion dollars.

Naturally, the Rendell administration plans to appeal the ruling. I’m sure, of course, Democrats who objected to the Attorneys General’s lawsuit will also object to wasting taxpayers’ money appealing an illegal raid of the docs’ fund.