Pa. budget negotiators press for deal with governor

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Top state Republican lawmakers are working with Gov. Tom Corbett to clear up final disagreements in a state spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Lawmakers met in private this morning with the Republican governor to go over a joint House-Senate plan they submitted Monday.

Details of talks and counterproposals are being kept private, although Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman says the size of cuts in social services programs was perhaps the biggest unresolved matter.

The budget is expected to tally no more than $27.3 billion, or about 3 percent less than this year’s budget, as Corbett insists state government cut spending to balance a projected multibillion-dollar deficit.

Top lawmakers hope to secure an agreement that can pass the Republican-controlled Legislature this week.