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Essential Pittsburgh: Seeking Budget Compromise In The Commonwealth

Gene J. Puskar
/
AP Photo
Pennsyvlania Governor Tom Wolf and legislators have yet to find compromise for the 2015-16 budget.
It's a budget that stays a course that's not working. In Pennsylvania for four years now, it's had budgets that were based on the misguided idea that you could cut your way to prosperity. -Stephen Herzenberg

More than a week after the budget deadlinepassed for Pennsylvania legislators, it’s become clear that very little progress has been made in negotiation efforts between the governor and Republican majority. Governor Tom Wolf wants to see increases to the personal income and sales tax to help fund his property tax plan for schools and homeowners, however legislators on the right believe that money would be better in the pockets of Pennsylvanians.  Keystone Research Center Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg and Commonwealth Foundation Director of Policy Analysis Liz Stelle provide an economic analysis of the two proposed budgets as well as their thoughts on President Obama’s overtime salary threshold changes. (starts at 14:59)

NYSE Fallout (starts at 0:00)

An internal technical issue briefly halted tradingWednesday at the New York Stock Exchange.  While officials insisted the problem was not a cyberattack, some customers did change their behavior following the fallout. Jay Sukitsis clinical assistant professor of business administration and finance at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business.  He’ll share his thoughts on the system failure and what it could mean for major corporations.

Ohio Museums (starts at 43:10)

Across the nation there’s no shortage of museums. Whether they’re devoted to art, musical instruments or sports these cultural institutions have a lot to offer. While there are great museums here in the Allegheny region, contributorElaine Labalme this week takes us to Ohio for a little culture.

More Essential Pittsburgh segments can be heard here.

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