Many Items Of Interest Not In Play In Final Weeks Of PA Legislative Session
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania lawmakers return to the state capitol Monday for the final weeks of the current two-year legislative session, but what's not on the agenda is as much or more noteworthy than what is.
Charter school reform is one of the big-ticket items to be tackled this fall, while transportation funding and pension reform are two other marquee items not expected until the new session next year.
It also appears that privatization of liquor sales is a no-go, although Stephen Miskin, spokesman for the House majority leader, who's the prime backer of that legislation, refuses to run up the white flag.
"You know, we have a finite number of days and we have a pretty full plate. But that's on the table and it's still a possibility," he said.
But the spokesman for the Senate majority leader says there have been no active discussions between the chambers over the summer, and he says he would be very surprised if liquor privatization got traction in the fall session.
Some other legislation that is in play includes corrections reform and addressing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that bans life sentences without parole for juveniles.
