Tom Corbett Takes The Reins Of State Government Tuesday
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When Tom Corbett takes the oath of office Tuesday and becomes the 46th Governor of Pennsylvania, he inherits a state government that is $4.5 billion in debt, has $472 million in transportation funding shortfalls, owes the federal government $3 billion in unemployment compensation loans, faces more billions in unfunded pension obligations, dealing with a last-minute $400 million spending spree by Gov. Rendell, the end of adultBasic health insurance coverage for over 40,000 people and has dysfunctional state agencies.

            Gov. Corbett is set to present his first budget proposal March 8.
            During the campaign, Corbett laid out an aggressive agenda that makes jobs and jump-starting Pennsylvania's economy Job One.  
            He said, "We must make Pennsylvania more competitive by reducing tax burdens on our businesses and cutting regulatory barriers that are crushing companies and their ability to create jobs."
            He also called for major reforms in the way state government operates, how Pennsylvania educates its children, wants to promote development of native energy resources like Marcellus Shale natural gas, cut the cost of state-provided medical care, revitalize the state's transportation infrastructure and be an advocate for seniors.
            And he has to achieve all these goals without violating his pledge not to raise taxes.
            Environmental Policies
            Gov.-elect Corbett made a series of commitments on energy and environmental policies which PA Environment Digest summarized in earlier editions. Among the commitments were:
-- Eliminate Permit Backlog;
-- Create the Permit Decision Guarantee Program;
-- Review DEP Programs, Regulations, Guidance Documents in 90 Days;
-- Create a PA Environmental Expert Loan Program;
-- Establish a DEP Legacy Corps;
-- Promote Environmental Education As A Key To The Future;
-- Create a Governor's Energy Executive (done);
-- Create a Marcellus Shale Science Advisory Board;
-- Create a Marcellus Shale Work Group;
-- Create Regional Marcellus Shale Stewardship Roundtables;
-- Establish the PA Brownfield Reimbursement Program;
-- Create an Infrastructure Improvement Tax Credit Program;
-- Restore Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Tax Credit Program; and
-- Address DCNR Staffing Needs.
            Click Here to read Gov.-elect Corbett's Campaign Issue Papers. 
            Corbett's Team So Far
            To help him in his task, Corbett has begun to assemble his management team.  The appointments made so far include:
-- William F. Ward, of Pittsburgh, as Chief of Staff;
-- Stephen Aichele, of Tredyffrin, Chester County, as General Counsel;
-- Annmarie Kaiser, of West Hanover Township,Dauphin County as Secretary of Legislative Affairs; 
-- Jennifer Branstetter, of Camp Hill, Cumberland County as Director of Policy and Planning;
-- Kevin Harley, of East Petersburg, Lancaster County, Director of Communications;
-- Charles Zogby, of Mechanicsburg, York County, as Secretary of the Budget;
-- Dan Meuser, of Shavertown, Luzerne County, as Secretary of Revenue;
-- Gary D. Alexander, of Greenville, RI as Secretary of Public Welfare;
-- Barry Schoch, of Camp Hill, Cumberland County, as Secretary of Transportation;
-- Ronald J. Tomalis, of Clarksville, Md., as Secretary of Education
-- John Wetzel, of Chambersburg, Franklin County, as Secretary of Corrections;
-- Eli Avila, of Hampton Bays, NY, as Secretary of Health;
-- Michael Krancer, of Bryn Mawr, Montgomery County, as Secretary of Environmental Protection;
-- Patrick Henderson, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, as Governor's Energy Executive;
-- C. Alan Walker, of Clearfield, as Secretary of the Dept. of Community and Economic Development;
-- Michael F. Consedine, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, as Insurance Commissioner.
-- Carol Aichele, of Tredyffrin, Chester County, as Secretary of the Commonwealth;
-- Glenn Moyer, of Oley Township, Berks County, as Secretary of Banking;
-- Kelly Powell Logan, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, as Secretary of Administration;
-- Sheri Phillips, of Harrisburg as Secretary of General Services;
-- George White, of Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, as the Chief Information Officer;
-- Glenn Cannon, of Pittsburgh, as the Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency;
-- Frank Noonan, of Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, as State Police Commissioner; and
-- Kenya Mann Faulkner, of Ambler, Montgomery County, as Inspector General.
            Major Appointments Yet To Come 
            Gov.-elect Tom Corbett has these major appointments yet to make in his team--
-- Department of Aging
-- Department of Agriculture
-- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
-- Department of Labor and Industry
-- Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
-- Gaming Control Board (Chair)
-- Liquor Control Board (Chair)
-- Public Utility Commission (Chair)

1/17/2011

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