Corbett Exercises Line-Item Veto on Pennsylvania Budget

Today I am item vetoing $65 million in general assembly spending & an additional $7.2 million in legislative-designated spending #pabudget

— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) July 10, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett on Thursday announced he was exercising a line-item veto on the Pennsylvania budget. He’s decided to battle with the legislature, saying it “refused to deal with the biggest fiscal challenge facing PA: our unsustainable public pension systems.”

“I am forcing mutual sacrifice with the general assembly though the gov’s ability to line item veto and hold spending in budgetary reserve,” Corbett added. Corbett cut $72.2 million in spending overall.

The governor says he wants to see Philadelphia schools open on time, but is continuing to insist on concessions from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. The governor is expected to call for a special session on public-sector pension reform.