Pennsylvania state lawmakers made their way back to Harrisburg for several more weeks of work to wrap up a new state budget and potentially a variety of other major bills being sought by Governor Tom Corbett.
 
Republicans in both chambers were briefed Monday on the status of closed-door negotiations on a $27-billion-plus budget being assembled by their leaders behind closed doors. Democrats are not invited to the talks.
 
A major focus of lawmakers is how much of Corbett's proposed cuts to education and social services they can wipe out. Corbett also is seeking various education bills, such as changing how public school teachers are evaluated.
 
Meanwhile, Republicans want to advance a plan to fix Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation trust fund by taking out loans and narrowing benefits.