HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell is calling on Republicans who control the state Senate to resume negotiations over a prospective tax on natural-gas drilling.

The Democratic governor spoke today in response to a question at a news conference on an unrelated topic.

Rendell proclaimed the tax dead last week, blaming legislative Republicans for what he described as their failure to offer a reasonable compromise on the tax rate — one of mulitple issues that have stalled progress.

He said he would work "night and day" to reach a compromise if Senate Republicans are willing to hold a "lame duck" sesssion after the Nov. 2 election. Senate leaders have said they will not hold any voting session after the election.

A Senate GOP spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.