Wolf vows to veto latest budget offer

Gov. Tom Wolf plans to veto a Republican-crafted measure that aimed to end the months-long Pennsylvania budget crisis.

In a written statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the governor said he’ll reject the GOP’s roughly $6 billion supplemental spending plan headed to his desk. The plan was intended to restore line items already vetoed by the governor late last year. Wolf said the measure is based on questionable assumptions and would exacerbate the state’s deficit.

“This is further indication that the Republican leaders have no intention of working together with me to produce a final budget,” said Wolf. “This is the third time they have attempted to pass an unbalanced budget with no consultation with the administration.”

The veto threat means there’s no end in sight for the more than eight-month-long stalemate, even as schools and rural hospitals warn they’re on the verge of closing because they don’t have all their state funding.

A spokesman for the House Republicans said the majority leader may schedule a vote to override the governor’s expected veto. An override would require Democratic support to reach the necessary two-thirds majority.

Signs are emerging of a break between the governor and his fellow Democrats. As Wolf issued his veto threat, dozens of House Democrats voted with Republicans on separate measures to fund the state-related universities — Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln. Months earlier, Democrats had blocked the proposals, saying they would stick with the governor and hold out for a complete budget agreement.