Last check sent to Pa. state workers until budget is passed

HARRISBURG (AP) — The last paycheck for the foreseeable future for tens of thousands of state government employees is out, and it wasn’t even a whole paycheck.

Some 44,000 employees received a 20 percent paycheck today as a budget impasse since July 1 has stripped state government of the ability to pay bills and meet payroll.

About 1,000 employees of the judicial branch have gone unpaid since July 3, while legislative employees continue to be paid from reserve accounts.

Gov. Ed Rendell is among those missing a full paycheck. Legislators missed their June paychecks, although many are filing for per-diem payments while they’re in Harrisburg.

Pennsylvania is one of three states whose budgets are still unresolved.