Teacher layoffs across Pa. may loom

Schools and social services are expected to see significant cuts when Gov. Tom Corbett introduces his plan to close a $4 billion budget deficit today in Harrisburg.

Though few details have emerged about Corbett’s first budget prior to today, his “no-tax pledge” and general comments have led state officials to brace for reduced funding for things like higher education, school districts and Medicaid. Such cuts could force Mayor Michael Nutter to revise the pain-free budget he introduced to City Council last week.

“If this goes the way that a lot of us think this is going to go, you’re almost going to guarantee layoffs for teachers across the state,” said Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Philadelphia, who will give a response from Senate Democrats after Corbett’s address.

Sen. Vincent Hughes, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said “I’m hoping that trend will not continue where working families get jammed while those who are doing okay continue to do even more okay,” referring to tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies.