Corbett, GOP leaders meet on Philly school funding

Top ranking Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania Legislature are meeting with Gov. Tom Corbett over a funding crisis that could prevent Philadelphia’s public schools from opening on time.

The meeting on Monday in the Capitol was taking place behind closed doors.

Outside the meeting, a small but noisy protest is underway.

It involves several dozen people — a mix of parents, teachers and students.

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The governor and the legislative leaders will have to decide whether to allow the city to impose a $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes, a proposal that has stalled amid opposition from within the Republican caucuses.

House leaders last week canceled plans to consider the Philadelphia cigarette tax, leaving in doubt the city schools’ Sept. 8 opening.

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