HARRISBURG -- Frustration and pessimism over the ongoing state budget impasse are growing among both Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and Senate Republican leaders -- not a good sign for the two sides reaching a compromise anytime soon.

Mr. Rendell yesterday cited "ideology, partisanship and laziness" as three major factors that continue to block an agreement on a 2009-10 state budget, which should have been in place on July 1.

"I am frustrated about the lack of work" going on to resolve the serious differences between Democrats and Republicans over a new budget, Mr. Rendell said. "It's stunning. There seems to be a lack of urgency. It almost seems like Alice in Wonderland, with no sense of urgency."

The six-member, House-Senate conference committee on the budget met for two hours on Tuesday, its first meeting in a month, but no more meetings have been scheduled. House Democrats proposed a $28.1 billion spending plan for 2009-10, while House Republicans have countered with a $27.5 billion plan. Senate Republicans also have a $27.5 billion plan but it's not identical to the House GOP plan.

Senate Republican leaders said yesterday they're at the Capitol every day and are available for meetings, but neither the governor nor Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, chairman of the conference committee, have called for additional discussion.

"I take great offense at the governor's comment about laziness," retorted Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre. "It's outrageous. (Republican Sens. Joe) Scarnati, (Dominic) Pileggi and I are here every day. He's the one without a sense of urgency. The only way he can get a vote (for higher taxes) is to create a crisis."

Democrats contend that $1.7 billion, from one-time and/or "recurring" revenue, is needed to balance the 2009-10 budget. Without adequate revenue, they warned, the deficit could swell to $4.5 billion in 2010-11 and $8.7 billion the next year. That's due to ever-rising costs for prisons, Medicaid, pensions and debt service, and the fact that federal stimulus funds will cease by late 2010.

Mr. Rendell said that "targeted investments" in education -- computers in all high school classrooms, tutoring for students who need help, "dual enrollment" classes for high school students to take college-level courses, and more full-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classes -- are paying big benefits now, as shown by recent test results.

"That's what we are fighting for, and it's worth fighting for," he said.

Mr. Corman said Democrats want to increase taxes and spending, including an additional $300 million for basic education. But he said state residents don't want to pay higher taxes, so spending must be controlled.

"We are in a recession. We have less revenue. It's not that anyone is opposed to education spending, but we don't have the revenues," Mr. Corman said. He said there isn't support in the Democrat-controlled House or the GOP-controlled Senate for raising taxes.

Recurring revenue could take several forms, such as increasing the state income tax or sales tax, removing some of the current sales-tax exemptions, increasing the cigarette tax or imposing a new excise tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco. One-time revenues include raiding the $750 million "Rainy Day Fund" for emergencies.

"Frustration is growing" over the lack of a budget, said Mr. Scarnati, R-Jefferson, who serves as Senate president pro tem and lieutenant governor. "The governor and the four caucus leaders need to talk. We (Republicans) put a budget proposal on the table and are waiting for (Democrats) to get back to us."