Tax collections lag 3% in 1st quarterHARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s state government finances are seeing more warning signs.The Department of Revenue said this week that first quarter tax collections ran 3 percent below estimate, or $218 million behind.The department says it’s not sure why revenues are lagging and that it is concerned about the magnitude of the shortfall. However, it also says it’s still early in the 2016-17 fiscal year that began July 1 and it notes that September’s sales and use tax collections were 4.6 percent above the same month last year.It says that suggests that shortfalls won’t continue throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.In the meantime, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has borrowed $1.6 billion from the state treasury to keep the government’s main bank account from going below $0.

McDonald’s faces labor allegationsNEW YORK — Labor organizers say they’ve named McDonald’s and its franchisees in allegations of sexual harassment, marking their latest effort in a push to win higher pay and a union for fast-food workers.The claims were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission on behalf of 15 workers who are part of the Fight of $15 campaign, organizers said Wednesday. They allege behavior such as a manager rubbing up against and grabbing female employees. The claims name McDonald’s Corp. as well its franchisees, reflecting the push by labor organizers to build the legal case that the company should be held responsible for working conditions at franchised restaurants.An EEOC representative said the agency is prohibited from confirming or denying the existence of discrimination charge filings, investigations or administrative resolutions. Information about cases becomes public only if the agency files a lawsuit, which is usually a last resort, the agency said.McDonald’s said in a statement that it is reviewing the allegations, and that the company and its franchisees are committed to respectful treatment for everyone. “There is no place for harassment and discrimination of any kind in McDonald’s restaurants or in any workplace,” it said.

India makes arrests in U.S. in tax scamNEW DELHI — Indian police have arrested 70 people and are questioning hundreds more after uncovering a massive scam to cheat thousands of Americans out of millions of dollars by posing as U.S. tax authorities and demanding unpaid taxes, a police officer said today.According to police in Mumbai, the yearlong scam involved running fake call centers that sent voice-mail messages telling U.S. residents to call back because they owed back taxes.Those who called back and believed the threats would fork out thousands of dollars to “settle” their case, Mumbai police officer Parag Marere said.The scam brought in more than $150,000 a day, Marere said. If the scam netted that amount daily, it would have made almost $55 million in one year.