[naviga:h3]Horse racing gets another week in Pa.[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration says it’s giving another week to allow horse and harness racing in Pennsylvania now that it’s reached a preliminary agreement to underwrite the industry’s regulatory functions.

The state Department of Agriculture said Friday night that, after two weeks of negotiations, it had secured concessions from horsemen, breeder organizations and racetrack operators to fix a long-term deficit in the State Racing Fund.

Details had yet to be finalized.

The Wolf administration warned two weeks ago the state would shut down racing because the fund was out of money and the budget stalemate prevented it from transferring money into it.

Six Pennsylvania tracks offer Thoroughbred or harness racing. The fund is subsidized by a tax on wagers, which have steadily declined for years.

[naviga:h3]GE laying off 1,500 workers in Erie[/naviga:h3]

ERIE — GE Transportation is laying off one-third of its 4,500 workers at a locomotive manufacturing plant in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Company spokesman Cathy Heiman confirmed the layoffs Friday.

The 1,500 workers being cut are represented by United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers Local 506.

Scott Slawson, union local president, called the layoffs a “devastating blow” for the community. He said the news came as a warn notice, meaning the layoffs will happen over the next two months.

Slawson said he wants the company to work with the union in qualifying some higher-level service employees for retirement if they’re close to eligibility.