Area lawmakers responded to Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal:

Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike): "I am disappointed in the governor's budget address and the extreme scare tactic he used to try to convince the people of Pennsylvania that we have no other choice but to raise taxes."

No one is disagreeing that we have a structural deficit close to $2 billion. … With reforms to government and responsible spending, we can stand and protect our taxpayers from increased taxes and create a strong future. I disagree with the governor that raising taxes is what is best for Pennsylvanians', and especially for the people of my district.

Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon): " I hoped I would hear that we would put our differences aside, finish last year's budget and start this year's budget process on a clean slate.

"Instead, Gov. Wolf used this opportunity to deliver political attacks. He did not name a single budgetary item or mention any of his proposals. Wolf wants to hide the fact that he's proposed a $2.7 billion tax increase next year and a $900 million retroactive tax hike from this year's budget.

"Once again, he has proposed broad-based tax increases without dollar-for-dollar property tax relief. I cannot support such a proposal."

Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe): "Gov. Wolf's address this morning was a step in the wrong direction. In addition to the political rhetoric and threats that have become characteristic of this administration, Gov. Wolf lectured the Legislature and failed to provide any details about what was included in his budget proposal.

"The governor's 2016-17 budget includes a retroactive $2.7 billion tax hike, an increase in the Personal Income Tax and 14 other tax increases. Although our governor may not be in touch with the working families and seniors of Pennsylvania, I am."

"The spirit of compromise was desperately missing from the governor's address. Gov. Wolf should be leading by example. Instead, he has created a hostile environment that is not conducive to productivity."

Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill): "is address today was nothing more than a juvenile scolding. To him, a sustainable revenue source is taking more and more money out of the taxpayers' pockets to spend however he'd like. With a plan like that, I don't blame him for not providing any details - that's how bad it is."

"The people I represent have spoken loud and clear, and I've heard them. They cannot afford massive, widespread tax increases to be forced on their already stressed personal budgets.

State Sen. John Yudichak D-Carbon/Luzerne): "It is unacceptable that we begin discussions on a new fiscal year without having a complete state budget in the current fiscal year."

"The Cinderella clock has struck midnight on short-term fiscal gimmicks and the fantasy budgets of the past four years have come crashing back to the hard reality of five consecutive credit downgrades."

"The Governor and the General Assembly should have a single focus a single mission over the next few months - restore fiscal stability to the state budget process by addressing Pennsylvania's structural deficit with a responsible budget that recognizes state spending is far out pacing current revenues."

Rep. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton): "Gov. Wolf is once again seeking to take more money out of the pockets of working men and women to further grow state government. I simply cannot support broad-based tax increases that do not provide dollar-for-dollar real property tax reform because it would put too much of a strain on Pennsylvania families financially. With a sluggish economy and most people not seeing progressive increases in their annual salaries for several years, it would be detrimental to tax them further."

"I realize the governor has good intentions with wanting to increase the amount of money for schools, but we also need to think about the families whose children go to those schools and their financial struggles. Before sending more money to our public schools, we need to reform the public pension system, which is the largest cost driver for school budgets, as well as ease the many mandates schools must comply with. By doing this, we could free up more money the schools are already receiving to dedicate to students."