Corbett+signs+budget,+outlines+fall+agenda

= Sees some sort of Marcellus Shale legislation on the horizon = = = =By Laura Olson= =//Published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette//= =//7/13/11//=

= = = = =LANCASTER, Pa. -- Gov. Tom Corbett cleared his first major policy hurdle by signing a budget bill in the nick of time, but on Tuesday he outlined an ambitious fall agenda that may prove even more challenging.= =In one of his first public appearances since that state spending plan was approved, Mr. Corbett made a stop here to address a gathering of Pennsylvania police chiefs. The former prosecutor thanked them for their work and, noting his deep budget cuts, said he hopes to find more funding for law enforcement in the future.= ="I can't guarantee you anything," the governor said. "I'm not going to make promises that I don't know whether we can keep.= ="If it's available, we'll keep it. But it's been, as I said, a tough year."= =Several of the items on the fall policy agenda that he later detailed to reporters likely will also be competing for scarce funds.= =His Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission is due to issue a report July 22. Its recommendations are expected to include help for municipalities and emergency responders in managing their increased costs.= =That panel so far has kept mum on the best ways to mitigate those costs and may offer its solution at the group's final meeting Friday. Mr. Corbett opposes enacting a severance tax on natural gas extraction but has said he'd consider a fee targeted at certain effects from drilling.= ="I think you'll see legislation in regard to Marcellus Shale," he said Tuesday, before pre-empting queries on the topic. "Don't bother asking the questions about which [drilling issues will be addressed]. Let us work it out."= =That report will be followed promptly by an Aug. 1 assessment from his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. That panel will recommend ways to bridge an estimated $3.5 billion annual shortfall for road and bridge repairs.= =Among those options are increases to vehicle registration and driver's license fees, as well as boosting traffic fines and no longer capping the tax levied on the wholesale price of gasoline.= =Mr. Corbett, who said at several points during last year's campaign that he would not hike any taxes or fees, deferred commenting on that commission's proposals until they are final.= = In addition to those reviews of drilling oversight and infrastructure upkeep, the governor will be convening a third panel to look for ways that state government can be privatized or "innovated." = =That commission will be organized later this summer, said Mr. Corbett: "I think we've had enough groups out there that you guys are trying to keep up with."= =Meanwhile, a top House Republican today will unveil his plan for privatizing the state-run liquor stores. Mr. Corbett said he hadn't yet seen the final bill from House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, but that he supports the concept.= ="I don't think that [the state] should be in the business [of selling liquor]," he said. "How you get to that point, what you privatize and how much revenue comes into it, that has to be worked on."= = If that doesn't give lawmakers enough to keep them busy, the governor also reiterated that he wants to see a private school voucher program enacted. = ="We're going to be pretty busy come September," Mr. Corbett said.= =But first, a little time off and travel. The governor said he'll be taking a week of vacation before crisscrossing the state to talk with residents and lawmakers.= =Read more: [] =

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