Pennsylvania Gov. Corbett Suggests Covering Education Budget Cuts by Drilling for Natural Gas on Cam

He made his comments in a news conference after a visit to the Chester Community Charter School. Corbett spoke to students, teachers, and faculty, mostly about the merits of school choice. The 2,700-student school is the largest K-8 charter school in the state.

The nonprofit school is owned and managed by Charter School Management Inc., a private school-management firm. The company's chief executive, Vahan H. Gureghian, contributed more than $250,000 to the governor's campaign and $570,000 to other GOP candidates and committees.

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Corbett also expanded on his suggestion that colleges and universities drill for natural gas on campus property as a way to generate revenue in light of reduced state funding they face.

He called it a "common-sense" move that could produce fuel to power the campus plant and generate royalties by selling leases. Corbett said the plan could be expanded to the land surrounding state prisons. State officials are analyzing the possibilities, Corbett said.