HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett’s top budget aide says the state is projecting a $500 million deficit at the midpoint in its fiscal year, and he’s working up a plan to freeze state spending to deal with the shortfall.

Budget Secretary Charles Zogby told reporters Tuesday that the state government continues to struggle with a weak economy as well as pension, debt and health care costs.

Zogby didn’t say how much spending will be frozen, but that Corbett will decide based on choices the budget secretary outlines.

He says next year’s budget may be more painful than this year’s, which was enacted moments before midnight on June 30.

That $27.2 billion spending plan cut education aid but didn’t raise new taxes.