Governor Corbett Cites School Vouchers As Priority For Fall Legislative Session
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania lawmakers begin returning to the state capitol today to begin what could be a tumultuous fall session of the legislature. The state Senate returns to session this week and the House returns next week.
Governor Corbett says his top priority is school vouchers, but he also wants to address transportation funding, liquor privatization, and natural gas drilling. Governor Corbett told WPHT's Dom Giordano last week, "I want all four. I'd love to have all four. School choice, probably if I had to rank them, would be number one."
But while a spokesman for the Senate majority leader says school choice is also a top priority in that chamber, the House may not be on the same page. Stephen Miskin, a spokesman for the House Republican leader, says, "There's no question Majority Leader Turzai is definitely out front pushing for a vote to privatize wine and liquor sales."
There are several major issues in play, but realistically, says Franklin and Marshall College analyst Terry Madonna, expect one or two to get done in the fall. Of those four issues, Madonna believes natural gas drilling – including the creation of an impact fee – has the best shot at getting done, "I think transportation has an outside chance because there's a lot of voter sentiment and legislative sentiment to do something."
And despite a push by the majority leader of the House for liquor sale privatization, Madonna sees that as being the least likely of those four big ticket issues in play to be passed this fall.
Reported by Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060
