PA Budget Hearings Conclude With Wide Divisions Remaining

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Three weeks of budget hearings by state lawmakers have underscored the wide gulf that continues to exist between Pennsylvania's Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled legislature.

State lawmakers have been discussing a budget for the next fiscal year with the spending plan for the current fiscal year still incomplete. On the final day of budget hearings, Delaware County Republican Bill Adolph, the House Appropriations chairman, told Governor Wolf's budget secretary that Wolf's spending proposals won't fly.

"The people of Pennsylvania cannot afford those type of tax increases," Adolph said.

Joe Markosek, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said the situation is frustrating.

"It's almost like it's hard to see our way out of this," Markosek said, "but I think we have to strive for that because that's our job."

Nonetheless, Appropriations Chairman Adolph expressed optimism that the budget for the current fiscal year, at least, can be completed in the coming weeks.