HARRISBURG -- If there is impending financial doom for Pennsylvania -- that "ticking time bomb" reference in the governor's budget address -- lawmakers appear to be more entrenched than ever.
Governor Tom Wolf's words reverberated throughout the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg, putting Republican leaders in the Republican-controlled General Assembly on the offense.
"This was without question the most absurd, politically motivated remarks that I've seen from the governor in the well of the house," said Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R).
Senator Corman lashed out at Wolf saying his budget address did nothing more than divide lawmakers further.
"My guess is today we are further away than we were June of last year. My guess is that's what the governor wants."
Every year it's the job of senators and state representatives in the general assembly to pass a budget by the end of June. Like last year, the rank and file in both chambers are blaming leadership, and leadership is blaming Governor Wolf, and round and round we go.
"It's our job to work bipartisanly, to work for a compromise. We're ready to do that," said Rep. Mike Hanna, (D) Clinton County.
With a budget shortfall in the billions and a governor pushing for higher taxes and more spending, lawmakers from our area doubt a compromise is anywhere in sight.
"I don't believe the approach and tone and manner was helpful in building leadership and relationship you need to get this resolved," said Sen. Lisa Baker, (R) Luzerne County.
"For us as legislators, it's time for us to sit down in a bipartisan manner and get the job done. It should have been done six months ago. Time has run out," said Rep. Sid Kavulich, (D) Lackawanna County, adding that it's the fault of lawmakers that people have lost faith in them.
One thing is different this year. It's an election year, so there's a good chance lawmakers may see their political careers on the line and get both budgets squared away by November.
