HARRISBURG — The governor’s annual budget address is traditionally when the state’s chief executive lays out priorities for the coming year, a speech that is scrutinized closely for what it says about the state’s direction.

Gov. Tom Corbett will have a lot at stake politically when he delivers his third budget address on Feb. 5. By this time next year the governor will probably find himself in the early stages of a re-election campaign, and he’d probably like a few major victories to show the state’s voters.

In recent weeks the first-term Republican has provided numerous clues about what his budget address will contain.

In interviews and public appearances, Corbett has spoken of a desire to take on the state’s threatening pension obligations, expressed an intention to avoid school funding cuts and warned of the pressure from medical assistance and prison costs.

But he also has been doing more than talking. Earlier this month he sued the NCAA over the Penn State sanctions, injecting himself into a politically charged issue. He just announced a deal to turn over management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a British firm.

Corbett is expected to take the wraps off a major transportation infrastructure proposal in the coming days, including a higher wholesale tax on gasoline sales, and has been talking up a favorite idea, privatization of the state’s liquor stores.

On Thursday, a Philadelphia newspaper said Corbett and his staff have been sending “strong signals” that the liquor privatization effort could allow beer and wine sales in convenience stores, groceries and other outlets.

Under one possible scenario, private distributors now limited to selling cases of beer would be allowed to sell six packs as well as wine and liquor. Details of Corbett’s proposal are expected before the budget address, his spokesman told the newspaper.

Lawmakers have their own ideas about what should be a priority, of course, and for House Democrats, it is to improve the state’s jobs climate. The state’s jobless rate is lower than when Corbett took office but remains at nearly 8 percent, and his opponents are pointing fingers.

“Policies that place corporations above people, starve public schools and college and ignore urgent transportation and health care needs are not working for Pennsylvania,” said House Democratic spokesman Bill Patton. He said his caucus would push to restore education cuts and eliminate business tax breaks.