Wolf Decries 'Stunt' As Pa. Lawmakers Tangle Over Budget, Taxes
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) --- The budget season is underway in the state capitol, and if the first day is any indication, it's going to be a wild ride.
The state House voted unanimously Monday to reject Governor Wolf's tax ideas, but Democrats voted "no" to protest the tactics of majority Republicans, decried by the governor himself.
"What the Republicans did just a few minutes ago was a stunt," Wolf said.
It started out with what House GOP leaders said was just a procedural effort to position a budget legislative vehicle for a vote - hopefully - later this month. But when Democrats tried to introduce amendments that would enact the governor's spending proposals, Republicans instead switched the debate to taxes.
Majority Leader Dave Reed, an Indiana County Republican, said, "It seems like they're very good at introducing bills to spend money, but have forgotten that you actually have that money to be able to spend it."
Governor Wolf proposes to lower property taxes while increasing the state sales and income taxes.