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Pa. Governor Corbett To Unveil Budget Today

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Governor Corbett is expected to unveil a series of major initiatives today, including his proposed budget for the new fiscal year starting in July.

In addition to his proposed budget, Governor Corbett – who took the wraps off his liquor privatization plan last week – today will also roll out his plan to address the rising costs of state and school employee pensions. And he's expected to propose lifting the cap on gasoline taxes at the wholesale level when he outlines a long-awaited proposal to raise new money for transportation projects.

Franklin and Marshall College political analyst Terry Madonna says, "I think this is one of most ambitious policy agendas of any governor in modern history. It's also, I think, in many respects, the kickoff to Governor Corbett's re-election, with a series of huge proposals."

And even if he succeeds, Madonna sees an element of risk for Corbett in pushing such a huge agenda now.

Last week, the top Republican in the Senate, Joe Scarnati, cautioned the governor against linking big ticket agenda items, "That's Washington style politics and we don't need that."

Madonna was asked about Scarnati's remarks. "It's another illustration of how, I think, the Republicans at this point are not yet on the same page." Madonna believes that's particularly true with regard to liquor privatization.

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