Wolf still hopes for budget deal as next proposal nears

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he’s hoping to finish a budget deal for the half-finished fiscal year before he delivers a spending proposal for the year starting next July 1.

Wolf said Thursday he’s not ready to buy the idea that sealing a budget deal is politically impossible until after lawmakers get through the April 26 primary election. Lawmakers would be better served politically to point to a completed budget package, he said.

However, top Republican lawmakers said there are still big differences over priorities that they’re insisting on before they pass a tax increase Wolf supports to boost education funding and wipe out a budget deficit. Wolf vetoed billions of dollars for schools last month to keep pressure on lawmakers.Wolf is scheduled to deliver his next budget proposal Feb. 9.