Corbett Renews Call For Compromise On Philly School Funding, Public Pension Reform

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is renewing his appeal for compromise on the issues of Philadelphia school funding and public employee pension reform.

House Democrat Cherelle Parker, head of the Philadelphia legislative delegation, reacted angrily Sunday night when Governor Corbett suggested Democrat votes for pension reform could produce Republican votes for a cigarette tax hike to fund Philadelphia schools (read related story).

"You cannot use our children as pawns in your political game," Parker said.

But during an interview in his office Monday morning, the governor told KYW Newsradio that that kind of give and take is how things like last fall's transportation funding bill got done.

"We got a transportation bill done. We got people that didn't normally want to vote for something to vote for something so that they got something also," Corbett said. "That's how this government has worked for centuries."

Corbett also believes Democrats' desire not to give him a win in a re-election year is as also at play in the standoff.

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In:
• Philadelphia School District
• KYW Newsradio