NewsRadio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Governor Tom Wolf's First Budget Proposal

Governor Tom Wolf's first budget proposal isn't getting rave reviews.

No surprise.

It sounds like he's hanging out a "Welcome to Taxavania!" sign.

The 30-billion-dollar-plus spending plan –

Uses a crazy-quilt of tax cuts and tax hikes –

To cover a projected 2-billion dollar deficit –

Plus higher spending on education.

Governor Wolf wants to do what's best for the state –

But this seems like a high-risk shell game.

Now is not the time to restructure Pennsylvania's tax system.

The state needs to significantly curb spending –

And that won't happen without pension reform.

If he'd built his budget around that issue –

There would have been some common ground with the legislature.

Republican leaders in both the House and Senate say it's a top priority this session.

Still –

As ill-conceived as this budget may be –

Governor Wolf has said what he wants to do.

Republicans may say "no" –

But now it's their turn to propose an alternative.

Hopefully legislators and the administration – together –

Can create a budget that makes sense.