Corbett Administration Acknowledges Wolf Will Inherit Big Budget Problem
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Corbett administration has acknowledged that it's leaving behind a dire state budget situation for Governor-Elect Tom Wolf.
Pennsylvania Budget Secretary Charles Zogby started his final budget briefing with a surprise: He is projecting no budget deficit. But then he explained that that's because he's proposing plugging a $2-billion hole with a series of one-time-only payment delays and fund transfers. Zogby said the situation the governor is leaving for Wolf is no different from what Corbett has faced for the last four years.
"I don't think any of this should be a surprise," he said. "It's going to be a challenge."
Wolf said he fears the problem may be even worse than Zogby portrays it and that he'll work with legislators to solve it.
"This orgy of one-time fixes has taken us to a point where it's simply untenable," he said.
Wolf dismissed suggestions that the Republican-controlled legislature might make it difficult.
"People in Pennsylvania, including in the legislature, recognize that we're in a crisis," he said. "And the people have voted for a divided government. They have not voted for gridlock.
Wolf takes office January 20th.
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