Nation IN BRIEF : PENNSYLVANIA : State Budget Plan Stalls After Fistfight

Pennsylvania’s state budget negotiations bogged down after a session that climaxed with a Democratic lawmaker punching a Republican on the House floor. The fight occurred shortly after 85 Democrats, but no Republicans, voted for a new tax plan. After the 116-85 vote was recorded, Democratic Rep. Herman Mihalich was tripped or fell against a bookcase. He then rose and threw two punches, one of which hit Rep. Dennis Leh. Mihalich later insisted he was only trying to get his balance and did not throw the punches. Budget negotiations are scheduled to resume Monday. The rejected budget plan featured several tax increases.