The state Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing next week for institutions and programs that had their state funding cut or eliminated in Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed 2008-09 state budget.

Pennsylvania collected $1.8 billion in general fund revenue in February, $90.9 million more than anticipated, state Secretary of Revenue Tom Wolf said in a written statement.

The state Department of Labor and Industry today released a statistical analysis of the minimum wage increases implemented last year.

Allentown, Lehigh County-based PPL Corp. reported reduced earnings of $1.3 billion, or $3.35 per share, for 2007.

It's been a rough six months listening to all the negative economic news, both in the midstate and nationally. That's why it is especially gratifying to hear the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association's announcement last week that its partnerships leveraged $4.6 billion in investments into the state's economy over four years, creating 186,000 jobs.

Bankruptcies, disciplinary actions, mortgages, incorporations, liens

Members of the GF Employees Credit Union voted 362-50 yesterday to approve a merger with Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union.

Reporters often are accused of focusing on bad news, but it was awfully hard to stick to the negative line in recent conversations with local bankers. So despite my best efforts, I'll start with some optimism. (I put a crime story farther down in this column to make up for that, so please stay with me.)

The success of Pennsylvania's 15-month-old gaming industry has exceeded the expectations of Wall Street, said three gaming-industry analysts.

The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority today approved the refinancing and restructuring of about $43 million in airport bonds.

Ephrata National Bank is forming a holding company.

Edward J. Kelly III resigned from The Hershey Co.'s board of directors.

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Rep. Scott Conklin, a Democrat from Centre County, plans to introduce a resolution before the Legislature's spring recess calling for a full audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, said Tor Michaels, Conklin's chief of staff.

People buying hybrid cars and other fuel-efficient vehicles in Central Pennsylvania could see savings beyond the gas pump.