Gov. Corbett gave a series of interviews to groups of Capitol Hill reporters Thursday commenting on expanding Keno-like games to taverns, cuts in pension benefits for existing state and school employees and a possible increase in the wholesale motor fuel taxes to increase transportation funding.

Here are some quick highlights from those interviews:

-- “I’m not going to increase taxes right now.”

-- Corbett will present a transportation funding plan to the General Assembly with his budget address in February.  He is considering raising the cap on the tax on wholesale prices of vehicle fuels to help fund it.  He said all the options outlined by his Transportation Funding Commission are on the table, including creating more toll roads and toll lanes.

-- Corbett supports expanding lottery gaming with keno-like games in taverns to raise money for senior programs.  He said these games could be in bars and taverns in January.  He would still oppose video poker.

-- Corbett is considering reducing future pension benefits for current state employees and teachers to deal with the estimated $41 billion in unfunded pension liabilities.  He discussed a possible 10 percent cut in the yearly pension multiplier.

-- “We really need to look at what liquor privatization is... it’s an issue of choice.”

-- PA does not yet have the answers it needs from the federal government to make a decision on health insurance exchanges that will cost the state between $30 and $100 million.

-- The cost of expanding Medicaid health insurance will cost from $134 to $221 million.

Click Here for a transcript of an interview with one group of reporters.  Click Here for a transcript of a Capitolwire interview on the Sandusky case.

NewsClips:

Corbett Considering Lifting Cap On Fuel Tax To Fix Roads

Corbett Mulls Lifting Cap On Gasoline Tax

Corbett Joins Talks On Transportation Funding

Corbett Stays Firm On Promise To Not Raise Taxes

Pensions, Road Funding Loom Large For Corbett In 2013

Corbett Won’t Recommend Pension Crisis Solutions

Corbett: PA Pension Cuts Would Apply To All

Editorial: Time To Ditch No-Tax Pledge

Editorial: Corbett Must Deliver Big Play

Editorial: Time To Ditch No-Tax Pledge

Automatic Raises For Legislators

12/3/2012