Wolf secures budget peace, for now, if not campaign promises

(AP) — The House of Representatives had just finished voting the final pieces into place for Pennsylvania's 2016-17 budget package, and Majority Leader Dave Reed walked next door in the Capitol to share congratulations with Gov. Tom Wolf.

A budget package achieved after numerous concessions by Wolf is perhaps the best the Democratic governor can do with Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Legislature.

[...] the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center said, the tax package's heavy reliance on a cigarette tax increase makes the state's tax structure even less equitable for low-income families.

Wolf has not persuaded lawmakers to impose a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas production.

After the budget passed, the Pennsylvania Republican Party took a shot at Wolf, saying "for the second year in a row, Republicans have stood up for Pennsylvanians in the face of Governor Tom Wolf's far-left agenda."

Wolf, who kept a low profile during budget negotiations, has not made a public appearance since the Legislature wrapped up the budget Wednesday.

Perhaps his best budget move came Sunday night, when he announced he would allow a $31 billion spending bill to become law, even without the money to pay for it all.