Republican Rep. Mike Turzai "must be nuts" for seeking a state tax cut when the state needs more revenue, Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday.

Turzai of Bradford Woods yesterday suggested reducing the state's 3.07 percent personal income tax to 2.99 percent, and more deeply cut the Department of Community and Economic Development's budget than Rendell proposed in February.

"It's ludicrous," said Rendell. He said it might mean a $20 tax break for most people.

With the state facing a $2.6 billion deficit and people losing jobs during the recession, the last thing Pennsylvania needs is Turzai's plan, Rendell said. "It's about creating more jobs and putting more money back into the economy," he said.

Turzai, the minority whip, fired back: "I think the governor is nuts for having overspent the last six years. He increased spending by 40 percent while the inflation rate increased 20 percent. He's absolutely nuts for mortgaging the future of our kids and grandchildren. He's borrowed over $6 billion that we will pay back to the tune of $10 billion, all to satisfy his insatiable appetite (for spending)."