It’s no secret the State Legislature faces two big challenges in this year’s budget: providing fair and adequate funding for schools and closing a $2 billion deficit.  What few people realize however is that Pennsylvania gives away twice as much in sales tax breaks than it collects.If the State collects just a portion of the revenue from exempt items, lawmakers could close the state budget deficit, fund the schools and lower property taxes.  Closing tax loopholes is the fairest way to raise the funds necessary to improve our schools for nearly two million pre-k through 12th grade students.