Gov. Corbett outlines plan for Philly school funding

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has a plan to raise money Philadelphia’s troubled schools. However, to become real, the package must win support by the legislature. It also requires city action.

These are the details of the plan, according to sources:

– Allow Philadelphia to extend a 1 percent sales tax in 2014-15, which is expected to enable the school district to borrow $50 million in 2013-14. 
 
– $45 million would be provided thanks to the federal government apparently waiving a debt previously owed to it by the state.
 
– The plan would also count on Philadelphia doing a better job collecting taxes, thereby raising an extra $30 million. 
 
– The plan would provide about $15 million in new basic education funding for Philadelphia in 2013-14, compared to 2012-13. It is unclear how much of that, if any, is additional money compared to Corbett’s original budget proposal.
 
With end-of-the-fiscal-year dealmaking in high gear, it’s unclear if Corbett has the support necessary to get the package through both chambers.