Speaker Turzai: Wolf Trying To Create Budget Crisis
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Mike Turzai responded to Governor Tom Wolf's budget address by accusing him of trying to prolong the Commonwealth's budget impasse.
Turzai, during an interview with Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, said the fight over the budget could've wrapped up last year if that is what the Governor wanted.
"He signed up to 90 percent of the budget that landed on his desk before the holidays. But one of the lines he did not sign was basic education funding. He did, up to and through December 31 of 2015. Now, does he want to continue to create some crisis? I believe so. What we're telling everybody, I think many of us think the same thing, Governor, fellow colleagues from the other side of the isle, close [Fiscal Budget] '15-'16. No more hostages. That day and age is over. No more campaign mode throughout the year."
He insisted there are many options legislators can consider before raising taxes.
"Taxes have to be the last resort, not the first resort and there are certainly places where we can make prudent decisions. That's been our approach. '15-'16 could've been closed with the use of what they call lapsed funds and could've been closed without a tax increase."