Right, Students First

Our quote of the day comes from none other than Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett.

After a long contentious battle over school funding, where Philadelphia Democrats begged Harrisburg to enact a $2-a-pack tax that would be levied only against city smokers, a no-brainer in any other political climate, the House finally passed the measure late Wednesday. This came after Corbett said over the weekend, "I would encourage the delegation, the Democrat delegation, from the city of Philadelphia ... to give the votes to get a pension bill done so they can get a cigarette tax done so they can get additional funding for the school district of Philadelphia," adding "It's in their hands." The statement was met with outrage and derision by the Philadelphia delegation and Mayor Nutter.

So what did Corbett, who has yet to visit a district-run school as governor, say last night, July 2, after the cigarette tax passed?

Please don't read the following while drinking any hot beverage: "We have worked for over a year, above the partisan politics, to put the students of Philadelphia first."

---Karen Heller