The plight of Pennsylvania's public schools will dominate many of the Legislature's debates this spring as the politics of education grows increasingly volatile.
It'll start with Gov. Tom Corbett releasing his budget proposal Tuesday.
Corbett has left open the possibility that he'll propose more aid for public schools. School districts continue to struggle a year after Republicans pushed through deep reductions in state support.
But he's also sent signals that cuts in aid to schools are possible if the Legislature doesn't approve the changes he'll propose to public pension benefits.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, a Republican, is warning Corbett against balancing cuts to schools against the pension changes. Democrats say Corbett and Republican lawmakers are worried about a public perception that they've bungled their handling of public schools.
