In Gov. Rendell's mind, it was a very simple request.

In these tough economic times, he wanted every corner of state government, including the courts and the legislature, to cut 4.25 percent from their budgets to help cover a $2.3 billion shortfall this year.

He made the request in October. Yet five months later, the governor says he has heard back from only a single entity: House Democrats.

"It's mind-boggling to me," an exasperated Rendell said in an interview this week. "I'm amazed that given the depth of this economic crisis, we appear to be stonewalled by everyone."

Many state agencies, including the courts, the Auditor General's Office, and the Attorney General's Office, don't see it that way.

They say they've made deep cuts in the last few months and are operating on shoestring budgets, possibly setting the stage for a showdown with the administration.