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Tom Corbett, Dominic Pileggi Disagree On How To Use Budget Surplus

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - It appears Governor Tom Corbett and a top Senator of his own party are at odds over what to do with a surplus in the current fiscal year now at $500 million and counting.

In the next fiscal year, when federal stimulus funds go away, the state faces a multi-billion dollar deficit. But in the current fiscal year, revenue collections are now a half billion dollars above projections. Governor Corbett, however, says that money should be put in reserve or used to pay down debt, not simply spent.

"One of the things he's trying to do, is to change the culture of Harrisburg," Spokesman Kevin Harley says.

But spokesman Erik Arneson says Chester Republican Dominic Pileggi, the Senate majority leader, believes at least some of that money should be used to restore major cuts the governor has proposed to balance the budget.

"I think it's fair to say that there's support in our caucus for a significant amount of any surplus revenue to be put to restorations."

Arneson says, however, he expects the matter will not result in an impasse.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio

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