Lack of money may prevent Gov. Robert P. Casey from getting what he wants and what the state desperately needs.

"The governor is advocating new programs, but he's not saying what it will cost or where the money will come from in the deficit year," said state Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre.

In the face of a recession, Casey said yesterday he wants the state government to fight back by improving health care, helping create jobs and strengthening education.

In his annual State of the Commonwealth Address, Casey challenged the state government to pursue its economic initiatives.

But his speech comes at a time when the national economy is flat, the state faces a $403 million deficit and the administration has frozen $405 million in spending.

"Ninety-eight percent of us agree with the goals he's talking about," said Robert O'Connor, associate professor of political science. "The problem is that what most of us want to accomplish takes money neither the state nor the (country) has right now."

But state Rep. Ruth Rudy, D-Centre, said the governor intends to tackle the deficit by halting unnecessary spending.

"Some state agencies are needlessly gobbling up money," Rudy said. "We need to take a stringent look at these agencies and cut the fat."

Some of Casey's proposed cuts make sense, O'Connor said.

Preventing special interest groups from financing elections is one way to combat excess spending, O'Connor said.

Casey also intends to make schools more accountable for their spending. Casey recently announced that he is freezing $275 million in state funds, including $9 million appropriated for the University.

Herman disagreed with the governor's action, saying the state needs to concentrate on putting money into higher education.

Although state lawmakers applaud Casey's plans to tackle the recession, they say it must be fought on a national level.

"I think it's a step in the right direction," Rudy said. "But steps need to be taken at the federal level."

O'Connor agreed, saying that every state is hurting.

"The state governor can make it worse or better, but what's going pull us out of the recession will be a national policy change," he said.

Casey also said his administration's priority is aggressive and expanded investment in highways, prisons and other building projects that will create jobs and improve the economy.

O'Connor agreed, saying, "Spending money on building will put people to work. It's the traditional democratic approach."