Pa. state budget gap grew in April

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s disappointing state government tax collections in April are raising the likelihood that more spending cuts or tax increases, or both, will be necessary.

Legislative officials said today that the month’s revenues will fall short of projections. The Department of Revenue will release official figures Monday.

The resulting gap may leave a year-to-date deficit of more than $1 billion.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman says the budget hole can’t be closed without either a significant tax increase or significant spending cuts.

The widening shortfall also could throw next year’s budget out of balance.

The new fiscal year begins July 1, and legislators have yet to begin serious negotiations on the $29 billion budget proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell in February.