Pennsylvania's complex budget picture grew more complicated on Tuesday as Gov. Ed Rendell announced he will seek a temporary, half-percentage-point increase in the state's personal income tax.

Appearing near Pittsburgh, well away from the glare of the Harrisburg press corps and opposition lawmakers, the Democratic governor said he will ask the General Assembly to boost the 3.07 percent levy to 3.57 percent, raising $1.5 billion a year for three years, as he seeks to close a year-end budget deficit estimated at $3.2 billion.

Under Rendell's proposal, the income tax would revert to its former, 3.07 percent rate at the end of the three years.

The announcement prompted Senate Republicans to declare an on-time budget a hopeless cause. House and Senate Republicans, who oppose any tax increase, have long assumed Rendell would turn to one to help balance the $29 billion budget he presented to lawmakers in February.
 

Read more.