As lawmakers get back into the swing of session, there are many important topics they can take up. Here are three issues that are expected to get a lot of time, arguments, and focus— which might just be enough to end in actual change.

Public transportation was described as “unfinished business" by many Democrat lawmakers last year. On both sides of the aisle, lawmakers want an increase in funding for public transit to also have a funding increase for roads and bridges.

Many say that regulating skill games is the key to getting this negotiated. Regulating skill games will require skill game industry advocates and casino industry advocates— who have been locked in bitter battle for a few years— to find common ground.

A second policy issue with lots of big opinions around it is education. Lawmakers gave over a $1 billion increase to the state's education budget last year. 

“I don't think it's about recreating the wheel. We had a commission. They went around the state, they took testimony,” Rep. Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) said, the Majority Leader of the House. "They spoke to these most affected schools. We struck up what I think a pretty good compromise, not just on that commission, but frankly with our Senate Republican friends, and we were able to pass that.”

Public school advocates say $4 billion more is needed to bridge inequality gaps between school districts for good.

Lastly, adult use cannabis has been touted as a new revenue source for the state. Advocacy group Responsible PA says lawmakers are negotiating ‘how’ to implement new policy, not ‘if’ there should be new policy.

"We have moved so far beyond considering this,” Brittany Crampsie said, spokeswoman for Responsible PA. "You know, we have moved into a mechanical conversation about who can get a license, how you can get a license, where the retail stores will be. And that, I think, is progress to build upon."

As lawmakers argue on policy, how much money is in the budget will be a large factor this year. The state's Independent Fiscal Office says the Commonwealth’s $10 billion surplus is draining fast ($7.1 billion of that is stored in the state’s rainy day fund, leaving $2.9 billion in uncommitted surplus).