Some progress seen in Pa. budget talks
HARRISBURG - As they prepare to enter the fourth month without a state budget, Republican leaders and Gov. Wolf signaled progress Monday in their effort to reach a deal on a spending plan.
HARRISBURG - As they prepare to enter the fourth month without a state budget, Republican leaders and Gov. Wolf signaled progress Monday in their effort to reach a deal on a spending plan.
Emerging from closed-door talks with Wolf, House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R., Indiana) said the sides were "working through some numbers" in an attempt to find common ground. He would not give details.
Nor would Wolf, who said only that "we are still talking."
"I don't want to sound like the eternal optimist, but we're working," he said.
Despite the hopeful note struck by both sides, Wolf said he still intended to veto the temporary budget Republicans approved last week.
The so-called stopgap budget would authorize spending through the end of next month, allowing money to flow to schools, counties, and nonprofit organizations that provide social services.
The state has been without a budget since July 1. The sides are split on how much money to spend, and on whether to raise taxes.
"I want to keep the pressure on," Wolf said. "Pennsylvanians want a budget. That's what I want. I don't want a stopgap, I don't want a continuing resolution. I want a budget, and I'm willing to work hard and consistently to get it."
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