Smart Talk: Budget impasse = higher taxes; Cruz helped by Fiorina?

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, May 2, 2016:

The nine month period that Pennsylvania went without a state budget will live in infamy in the state’s history. 

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a 2016-17 spending plan that is due June 30^th.  Will the Republican led House and senate be able to reach agreement with the Democratic Governor before that deadline? 

The governor’s proposal includes higher taxes to deal with a structural deficit and increase spending on education.  Republicans have opposed any tax hike.  Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale says another budget impasse will in effect result in a tax hike even if it isn’t voted on because the state’s credit rating will be downgraded and it will cost more to borrow.

DePasquale appears on Monday’s Smart Talk.

Also, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz named businesswoman Carly Fiorina as his running mate.  The timing was unusual since most candidates wait until after they’re nominated to choose a vice presidential candidate.

Will the move help Cruz’ campaign that trails Donald Trump?

Elizabethtown College political science professor Kyle Kopko is the author of the new book The VP Advantage and he joins us on Monday’s show. Dr. Kopko outlines four advantages a VP pick could offer a canidate in a recent TIME article.  Dr. Kopko and a collaborator have another piece in TIME this week.