Wolf says he won’t ‘cave’ on demand to fix state’s deficit

    Gov. Tom Wolf says he won’t “cave” on his demand that lawmakers agree to measures to wipe out Pennsylvania state government’s long-term deficit that’s plunged its credit rating into the bottom ranks of states.

    Wolf spoke Tuesday on Pittsburgh radio station KDKA-AM. Wolf maintains that a refusal to fix the deficit now will mean cuts next year in aid to education and human services.

    Pennsylvania’s government has been in a partial shutdown for more than 100 days as the Republican-controlled Legislature resists Wolf’s request for a multibillion-dollar tax increase. The first-term Democrat says it’s necessary to resolve the deficit and help correct steep disparities in public school funding.

    Wolf reported no progress in talks since the House last week defeated a $2.4 billion tax package presented by his administration.

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