HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is urging leaders of the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives to speed a vote on legislation to tax Marcellus Shale natural gas production in Pennsylvania.

The Democrat gave his backing to a bill that emerged Wednesday from the House Finance Committee.

Proponents say it’ll help stitch up Pennsylvania’s deficit-riddled finances amid a four-month budget standoff. Six Republicans on the committee defied party leaders to vote for the bill with all 10 Democrats.

It imposes a volume tax.