Pennsylvania's State Budget stalemate has reached an unprecedented 200 days.

Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday he is hoping for a budget deal for the state fiscal year that is already halfway over before it's time for him to deliver a budget plan for the next fiscal year.Wolf is scheduled to deliver his next budget proposal Feb. 9, but could not say how he will handle it.He had sought a tax increase to narrow funding disparities between Pennsylvania's wealthier and poorer school districts and to try to erase a long-term deficit. But the House GOP's budget package was $500 million short of what Wolf had sought, primarily dollars for education and social services, and lawmakers report no progress toward reviving a bipartisan budget deal that collapsed just before Christmas.To prevent schools from closing and social service agencies from laying off more employees, Senate GOP leaders sent Wolf the main appropriations bill in the House GOP's $30.3 billion budget package, despite Wolf's opposition. It is now in shreds, with billions held up by a partial veto or Democratic opposition in the Legislature.The budget crisis needs to end, and in a hurry, according to several local lawmakers.State Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), shared his thoughts on the matter.Heffley said that on Dec. 23, the House and Senate passed a $30.3 billion budget and placed it on the governor's desk.On Dec. 29, Heffley said that Wolf, under protest, signed and released 87 percent of the budget, which provided desperately needed state and federal funding for school districts and county human service providers.Looking ahead, Heffley said he is "anxious to head back to Harrisburg and work toward an agreement on the remaining 13 percent of this budget.""However, I have repeatedly told the governor's administration that I will continue to stand up for the taxpayers of Carbon County, who cannot afford additional taxes without property tax relief," Heffley said. "I remain focused on the true problems facing Pennsylvania, and that starts with resolving this stalemate so we can move forward."Heffley added, "Let's stop this delaying tactic."State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) took it one step further.With the lack of a budget, Yudichak said, "We are really in an unchartered place.""Regrettably, there are not too many paths open to us at this time to bring this to a conclusion," Yudichak said. "Both sides have become very partisan, very hostile, in their rhetoric."We need to break that partisan paralysis."The only focus should be on Pennsylvania taxpayers who deserve, demand, a full, comprehensive budget," he said. "We need to have fiscal responsibility."State Rep. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton) said the lack of a state budget is certainly not due to a lack of effort."It's not because we are not trying to get this budget settled," Harhart said. "It's just that for some reason, he does not want to sit down, and he does not want to negotiate."Harhart added, "This budget seems to be all about tax increases.""I don't know of one of my constituents who has come up to me and said I want my taxes increased," she said. "What I've been hearing is hold the line, hold the line."As more time has continued to elapse, Harhart said it's become even more critical that a budget be passed."This is the most important piece of legislation we do, and that's passing the budget," she said.