Gov. Ed Rendell is considering a stop-gap budget measure to keep essential state services in operation and be able to pay state employees.

Approval of an interim spending plan would allow the state to pay 77,000 workers who've endured reduced paydays since the budget impasse began July 1.

Tuesday marked the end of the stalemate' fourth week and there was no resolution in sight. Nearly 33,000 state employees are facing no pay at all this Friday.

Previous Stories: July 27, 2009: State Leaders To Form Committee To End Budget Stalemate July 24, 2009: Last Check Sent To Pa. State Workers Until Budget July 24, 2009: Anger Toward Governor, Budget Impasse Rampant On Internet July 24, 2009: State Employees Protest Budget Impasse July 23, 2009: VA Nurses Oppose Proposed Budget Cuts July 22, 2009: Governor Rendell Defends Budget Stalemate And Payless Paydays July 21, 2009: Pa. House Rejects Budget Plan July 20, 2009: Pa. Republicans Propose Budget With Less Spending July 17, 2009: Local Officials Say To Expect Tax Increase July 16, 2009: State Lawmakers Continue Budget Debate July 14, 2009: State Employees Protest Budget Stalemate July 13, 2009: Options For State Employees During Budget Crisis July 10, 2009: Penn State Plans To Raise Tuition July 10, 2009: Democrats Say They Have Plan To Pass State Budget July 8, 2009: State Worker Upset About Budget Woes