Wolf approves most of Pa. Legislature-backed revenue plan

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed the majority of the revenue plan passed by the Legislature last week — four months past the deadline.

But he hasn’t signed the public school code yet, and, in a briefing Monday, he appeared to leave open the possibility of vetoing it.

The rest of the revenue package fills a $2.2 billion hole in the $32 billion budget.

Most of it is based on borrowing and fund transfers, as well as an extensive gambling expansion that will allow up to 10 new miniature casinos in the commonwealth, video gaming terminals in truck stops, and gaming online and in airports.

But during a Pennsylvania Press Club Luncheon, Wolf was evasive when asked about the public school code bill.

“There are a couple things I’m not real comfortable with,” he said. “I thought I’d get a cleaner bill than I got, and so I’d like to have them go back to the drawing board.”

The governor wouldn’t say whether he’s actually committed to vetoing and renegotiating the bill, signing it, or just letting it become law without a signature.

Wolf also didn’t elaborate on what he opposed about the school code.

One of the issues is a provision allowing districts to lay off teachers for economic reasons, as well as using evaluations — not seniority — to decide who stays.