With weeks left before the June 30 deadline, Pennsylvania's budget sprint is gaining speed and lawmakers are signaling potential areas of agreement around a lingering source of Capitol contention: what to do with billions of dollars in remaining stimulus funds and surplus tax revenue.

Republicans in the majority, citing warnings about a looming fiscal cliff, have resisted largely Democratic calls to dip into the reserve. The GOP succeeded in getting a large share of the money squirreled away during last year's budget talks and later criticized Democratic attempts to tap it.

But that resistance appears to be fading. With $2.2 billion in remaining stimulus money, and at least $4.9 billion in surplus tax revenue, Republicans are signing on to or offering up projects as ways to spend some of the windfall. Insiders note that related talks are still preliminary.

"We move forward trying to identify areas of agreement first, and then we'll identify areas of disagreement and try and work through those," House Appropriations Committee Chair Stan Saylor (R., York) said.

THE CONTEXT: One area with bipartisan support is spending on the environment, including clean water projects, land preservation, and overdue repairs to state parks. Lawmakers are also considering putting some of the money toward the state's lagging Chesapeake Bay cleanup.

Other issues that are getting GOP attention include more state funding for child care and pre-K, nursing homes, and housing. 

Progressive lawmakers have been building bipartisan support for a broad housing plan known as the Whole Homes Repair Fund, which would use stimulus money to provide grants to homeowners and landlords alike to make renovations big and small. State Sen. David Argall (R., Schuylkill) also wants to help developers afford more costly building materials.

Top budget negotiators say nothing is yet concrete. Insiders question whether an election year spending spree could pass muster with more conservative lawmakers in the state House, especially with dissidents potentially empowered by the recent election losses of key figures.

PUMP PRICES: The average price of gas passed $5 a gallon in Pennsylvania this week, per KDKA-TV. State proposals meant to help alleviate pain at the pump, including direct payments and tax cuts, have gone nowhere.

CAMPAIGN SCHEDULE: Democratic U.S. Senate nominee John Fetterman could be off the campaign trail until July, wife Gisele Fetterman tells CNN. Meanwhile, Fetterman's first general election ads are airing in markets statewide and on networks like Fox News, Politico reports. 

SEEKING TREATMENT: State Rep. Matthew Dowling (R., Fayette) is seeking help for "alcohol issues" that he says "came to a head" over the weekend. According to police, Dowling rear-ended a car twice on Saturday, and TribLIVE reports DUI charges are possible. Dowling assumed office in 2016.

DEFENSE FUNDING: Pennsylvania is the only state that doesn't fund public defense, instead leaving it to counties. That could change under a bipartisan proposal being eyed for introduction by state Sens. Pat Browne (R., Lehigh) and Vincent J. Hughes (D., Philadelphia). Here's the memorandum. 

NO HITTER: Sunday marks 52 years since Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a no-hitter while on a hefty dose of LSD. Ellis (aka Ellis, D.) recounted the experience in vivid detail during a radio interview a year before his death. His play-by-play was wonderfully animated by James Blagden.