When we Pennsylvanians elected Tom Wolf governor in November 2014, we did so with an understanding that his business experience qualified him for the job. We were taken in by Wolf’s pledge to be a different kind politician, one who would get things done with a sympathetic focus on the middle class.

His sympathetic focus included assurance he would not raise the state sales tax.

In a July 26, 2014 Associated Press report, Wolf “spoke out strongly against an increase in the sales tax, saying that it falls ‘too heavily on lower-income consumers.’”

But his proposed $31.4 billion budget five months later included a 10 percent increase in the sales tax, from 6 percent to 7.25 percent, to raise $2 billion for education and other programs.

For six months, the Republican-led Legislature has firmly opposed the Democrat Wolf’s proposed budget. The representatives also blocked Wolf’s compromise with the Senate, which would not have increased taxes as dramatically as Wolf’s plan while cutting his proposed funding increases for education.

The standoff freezes funding for a number of state-funded institutions and agencies. Some school districts are considering shutdowns in the new year because they lack the money needed to stay open.

Now Wolf faces the biggest decision of his short tenure: Sign a Republican version of the budget that falls short of everything he’s sought or risk more damage to the schools and social services he wants to help.

The governor has options. He could sign the bill; he could let it become law after 10 days without his signature; he could sign it after eliminating any number of the line items in it; or, he could veto it and indefinitely extend the six-month budget impasse.

Wolf’s decision will affect all of us. And it could set the tone for his dealings with the Legislature for the next three years.

Among the negative effects of a continued standoff are the prospect of schools closing, public service agencies folding or faltering; and jobs eliminated. Landlords, insurers, utilities and other vendors await the payment of hundreds of millions of dollars from school districts, counties and the state.

There’s also the looming reality that work must begin soon on the next year’s budget, which will be due June 30.

Early this morning, Wolf’s office said he would make an announcement today, shortly after the deadline for this page to be completed. The governor is under tremendous pressure to end this six months-old stalemate.

Wolf could veto the GOP budget and hold out until the Republicans give in. But let’s hope not. If Wolf does not relent, we can expect some Democrats in the Legislature will lose patience and join forces with the Republicans to override a veto.

It’s time to do what’s best for the people of Pennsylvania — and the stalemate. Sign the budget, and get on with the business of governing.