By MARC LEVY
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's top-ranking senator says he expects dramatic and difficult spending cuts in Gov. Tom Corbett's budget plan.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said Monday that Pennsylvanians should be prepared for a debate on how best to use tax dollars, and he warned that he can't envision lawmakers raising taxes to ease spending cuts.
Corbett is delivering his budget plan Tuesday for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The state must increase spending on pensions and debt, and advocates for the poor and education worry that spending on their causes will be cut to absorb the difference.
Meanwhile, business advocates are pushing for tax cuts and Pennsylvania's current-year tax collections are running behind expectations.
Corbett is in his second year as governor after pledging not to raise taxes.
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