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Negotiations Begin For Crafting New State Budget

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) – Negotiations have begun in what's expected to be the long and difficult process of crafting a new state budget that a Democratic governor and a Republican-controlled legislature can agree on.

The first budget talks were held last week, but a significant aspect of the discussions is the governor's insistence that his plan, which includes raising sales and income taxes and reducing property taxes, be considered as a whole.

That prompted this offer from Republican Dave Reed, the House majority leader:

"If the governor comes to me and says 'I would like to have my budget bill presented before the House for consideration as a whole', I'm certainly willing to accommodate that."

Reed added, however, that he does not believe there are any GOP votes for Wolf's budget, and that House Republicans plan to move ahead with consideration of their own property tax relief plan.

The governor's spokesman said last week that while Wolf remained committed to the priorities in his budget proposal, he was not asking for an up or down vote at this time and that he looks forward to negotiations.

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