Corbett stands firm on funding for Philly

Gov. Tom Corbett, participating in a forum before the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce at the Academy of Natural Sciences yesterday, declared he is holding a firm line at his proposed $27.3 billion spending limit for the 2011-2012 state budget that would begin July 1.

Even in the event of a state crisis, the limit is not changeable. He said, “I intend to keep my pledge of not raising taxes. The people, who voted me in, did not want me to raise taxes.”

When asked about his proposed cuts in state funding for Philadelphia, he answered, “Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and the rural counties are also complaining. You can not spend more than you have.”

Like the Gov. Chris Christie across the river in New Jersey, he suggested that teachers and school district employees agree to a wage freeze. Corbett reiterated his insistence on no severance extraction tax, citing his desire to keep Pennsylvania industry com­petitive.