Corbett’s agenda creeps ahead but questions remain

Pennsylvania state lawmakers are signaling they’ll move forward with two of Gov. Tom Corbett’s priorities, although serious questions remain about both.

The Senate Transportation Committee was scheduled Tuesday to advance a $2.5 billion transportation bill.

Also Tuesday, key Senate and House Republicans plan to appear with Corbett to announce they’ll introduce his proposed changes to the state’s public employee pension systems.

 

However, the Senate’s transportation funding bill is larger than what Corbett initially sought, and House Republican leaders are cool to the gas tax increase it includes. And Corbett’s proposed pension changes are already meeting stiff resistance from lawmakers.

Meanwhile, lagging tax collections mean Corbett’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year is unbalanced by hundreds of millions of dollars. That’s endangering the $360 million business tax cut he wants.