Pennsylvania lawmakers to reconvene, budget status unclear

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania lawmakers are going back to work for the first time since budget negotiations collapsed just before Christmas.

The Senate is holding a regular session day Tuesday and the House is in a non-voting session.

Officials say leaders of both parties plan to discuss stalled state budget talks now in their seventh month. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's spokesman says he has no immediate plans to participate.

Last week, Wolf approved most of the $30.3 billion Republican spending plan enacted Dec. 23, releasing billions in overdue payments for schools and social services while vetoing other items that he called "garbage." He sharply criticized the GOP for not approving new spending for public schools and deficit reduction in a $30.8 billion bipartisan deal that called for a $1 billion-plus tax increase.