Is Corbett trying to prevent his “One and Done” term as Governor?
Gov. Corbett is betting it all by taking a stand on the Pennsylvania budget. After his 11th hour threat to withhold his signature unless the legislature caved in to his demands of increasing taxes and changing the state pension and liquor systems, he began offering deals.
Corbett also called on Philadelphia Democrats to back the pension changes in exchange for a higher $2 city-only cigarette tax that would fund schools.
On Sunday, Corbett and House Republican leaders had given Philadelphia Democrats an ultimatum: Vote for the GOP pension plan in return for Republican support for an increase to the cigarette tax in the city.
The Philadelphia plea backfired. Democrats criticized the ultimatum as political horse trading that holds the welfare of Philadelphia schoolchildren hostage and the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers descended on the state capital.
Corbett said that while he backs a cigarette tax to support Philadelphia schools, he still wants to see votes on a pension plan.
“While this action addresses the immediate needs of the Philadelphia School District, let me be clear: I continue to fight for meaningful pension reform for Philadelphia schools and all schools across the commonwealth, which will provide a long-term solution for them,” Corbett said.
Meanwhile, Corbett seems steadfast in his refusal to tax his friends in the oil and gas industry, looking not only to expand the areas in which they can destroy the environment, but charging them no extraction fees for what they remove. Fees that every other state charges the industry.
The Pennsylvania lawmakers did their part. Both the House and Senate presented Corbett a budget in the last hours before the deadline, with his Republicans scrambling to present a $29.1 billion budget proposal that would not see a rise in taxes on residents.
Corbett has a few options left to play in the stalemate. He could veto the budget, veto parts of it, or approve it and start slashing spending through line-item reductions.
If Corbett does not act on the budget at all, it becomes law after 10 days.
Corbett is unwilling to sign it, but I expect that he won’t veto it. At some point, like the Federal government experienced when a budget was delayed, the state government will have to shut down and Corbett can kiss any hope of getting re-elected goodbye.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
