Next step for GOP lawmakers in Pennsylvania budget stalemate is passing a stopgap bill

Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature have begun planning their next move in the 2-month-old budget stalemate with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

The Senate will be back in session in mid-September, and Republicans say if there's no light at the end of the tunnel in budget talks, then they'll pass a stopgap plan.

One aim of the stopgap package would be to get money to counties and nonprofit organizations that deliver a broad swath of the state's safety net services.

Some counties are dipping into cash reserves while nonprofits are taking out loans, putting off services or postponing bills to keep operating.

Wolf isn't saying whether he'd sign such stopgap legislation.

A spokesman says the governor would prefer to work expeditiously toward a final budget agreement.