Corbett’s latest commercial lays out his lower spending philosophy…instead of raising taxes, cut wasteful spending. But Corbett fought against a proposed one percent reduction to his office’s budget this winter and has asked for spending hikes during every budget season. He told a State Senate committee how budget cuts would hurt Office of the Attorney General efforts.
Corbett’s spokesman says this year’s budget request was based on union-mandated salary increases out of the Attorney General’s control. The office’s funding was ultimately cut by two million dollars, after an eight percent cut in last year’s budget.
For me, one of the biggest issues I have with the thought that Tom Corbett could be governor, is that he hasn’t demonstrated any ability to do the things that the state is going to need from our next Governor. He talks about cutting the cost of government by eliminating waste, but where is that waste? What is he going to cut? However, if you look at his management style and the way he has done his job, it has been to ask for more and more money. Â Does that sound like a cost cutter to you?
If you look around the country at states with Republican governors, you won’t find a lot of states that are in wonderful shape in comparison the Pennsylvania. Most every state, no matter the party of the governor is hurting and struggling. One state that may be an exception is Indiana, where the Republican governor has raised taxes in addition to cutting spending. But Tom Corbett has campaigned on not raising any taxes at all.
Corbett’s defense of wanting more money for his office, has been that his office brings in income to the state. Does that give you a clue as to what types of offices and departments he will look to cut costs? Those that do not bring in income- like Education perhaps? Safety?
Corbett’s approach of no new revenue and cutting costs on departments and offices that “don’t make income” will only set the state back father behind our neighboring states, making us less competitive, less innovative, and less capable of attracting and keeping businesses and people who can build the state.