Governor Tom Wolf and conservative House Republicans are clashing over a state budget now five and a half months late.
The House’s speaker, Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is demanding changes to a budget proposal passed by the Senate a week ago. His caucus says the $30.8 billion plan spends far too much money.
But Wolf said he won’t stray from the Senate’s proposal, the result of a tentative deal reached before Thanksgiving.
“It’s time to stop negotiating,” Wolf said. “Let’s get a budget. I want a budget.”
That leaves Wolf waiting on the House, with its historic Republican majority and what appears to be rifts between its leaders.
Wolf spoke to reporters after attending the tree-lighting ceremony in the Capitol rotunda.
“It’s time for hope. It’s time to make big wishes,” he said at the event. “I’d like to wish for a budget, if that’s all right.”
