Corbett, GOP lawmakers press school-related bills

Gov. Tom Corbett and his fellow Republicans who lead the state Legislature are working to develop a package of public school and education-related legislation that they can complete this month.

Corbett and top lawmakers discussed the subject Thursday in a closed-door meeting as part of broader talks on a $27 billion-plus budget plan.
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi says there’s broad agreement to pursue legislation that overhauls the charter school law, reconfigures the special education funding formula and boosts a tax credit on contributions for private school scholarships and other education groups.

A spokesman says Corbett also wants a private school voucher bill. But House Speaker Sam Smith says there isn’t support in his chamber for a Senate-passed voucher bill and that there’s no agreement to pursue an alternative.