[SCA-AE] PA residents, be aware...

[Linda Learn]

PA residents, if you need to renew your drivers license, do it QUICKLY! 

Maria P/Linda 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       July 3, 2007
Governor Rendell Says State Employee Furlough Notices to be Issued Tuesday

Governor, Others Will Not Get Paid for Fiscal Year Until Budget Passes

HARRISBURG - Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the lack of a state
budget means nearly 25,000 state employees will receive furlough notices
beginning today, effectively shutting down many state services at 12:01 a.m.
on July 9; 

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 Following the guidelines of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and
commonwealth case law, nearly 25,000 employees will be notified between
Tuesday and Thursday that if a budget is not signed they should not report
to work on July 9. The furloughs will effectively shut down the state's five
casinos and interrupt services including, but not limited to, drivers
license centers, state parks, historic sites, museums, welcome centers on
interstate highways, conservation programs, civil service testing, issuance
of permits by PennDOT and environmental protection and fire academy training
for first responders. 

"All of our state workers are essential to provide quality services to our
residents," Governor Rendell said. "The valued employees who will be
furloughed are those we are forced by federal law to classify as
non-critical." 

Nearly 52,000 employees will continue to work and be paid as they provide
services - such as state police, corrections, emergency management and
public welfare assistance offices - that are classified as essential to the
health, safety and welfare of residents. 

Nearly 1,700 employees not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, such as
Governor Rendell and his cabinet, would continue to work but not be paid
until a budget is enacted. Another 12,400 employees would continue to work
and be paid because they work in programs - such as the Game Commission,
Lottery and the Liquor Control Board - where funding is not disrupted by a
budget impasse.

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