Budget passes; education, energy get more

Rendell signs $28.3 billion measure with pleasure. By Mark Scolforo | and Marc Levy Of The Associated Press A state budget that boosts education spending and borrows for energy, infrastructure and economic development projects easily passed the state Legislature on Friday and was signed into law by a visibly pleased Gov. Ed Rendell. ''We did an awful lot in this session, an awful lot that will improve the lives of ordinary Pennsylvanians,'' Rendell said at an early evening bill signing ceremony in the Capitol. The 2008-09 state budget -- and a flurry of other legislation -- was approved four days into the state government's new fiscal year. The nearly $28.3 billion in spending represents an increase of about $1 billion over the just-ended fiscal year, with more than 90 percent of that increase going to education and social... [read full story]