Pennsylvania impasse resolved

A political stalemate that threatened the operation of the casinos at Philadelphia Park, Presque Isle Downs, and three harness tracks in Pennsylvania ended late on Monday night when the legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell reached an agreement on a budget.

The casinos had received a preliminary injunction from a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court on Sunday night in order to continue operating, a day before 24,000 government workers were forced on furlough because of the impasse. The casinos are regulated by government employees, and would have closed on Monday without the injunction.

Gov. Rendell and legislative leaders announced the agreement at 11 p.m. Monday, averting a second day of the statewide shutdown.