HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Tom Corbett did something Tuesday
that he promised to do on 'Day One' if elected - he released a plan
for reforming state government.
As he began his second week as governor, the Republican governor's office issued a laundry list that reflects Corbett's campaign promises and does not break new ground.
"I am committed to provide an open, transparent, accountable and trustworthy government that puts our taxpayers first and gets the commonwealth back on track," said Corbett, who has pledged to balance the state budget that starts July 1 without raising taxes despite a projected deficit of at least $4 billion.
Corbett's proposals include requiring state employees to submit receipts before they can be reimbursed for food, travel and lodging, expanding an online database of state financial information, changing the state budget from a one-year cycle to two years, and urging legislative leaders to reduce a legislative surplus that currently totals nearly $190 million.
Democrats said Corbett's proposals don't go far enough.
"We're underwhelmed," said Bill Patton, a spokesman for the House Democratic minority. "It leaves us wanting more."
Patton said Democrats do not oppose the governor's proposals, but want more far-reaching reforms such as limits on campaign contributions and more frequent campaign-finance reporting.
Corbett said sponsors of a constitutional amendment that would be necessary to switch to a biennial budget - Rep. Bryan Cutler and Sen. Mike Brubaker, both Lancaster County Republicans - introduced their bill Tuesday.
Corbett said he will direct the General Services Department to audit the more than 16,000 vehicles in the state fleet, which he has said he wants to shrink by as much as 20 percent.
He said he also will appoint a panel to conduct a yearlong review of all state boards and commissions and set expiration dates for any that are inactive or ineffective.
With the GOP now controlling both the executive and legislative branches, legislators in both parties are also making their case for various reforms. At least two lawmakers are promoting proposals to create state databases of information on state spending and contracts, but a Corbett spokeswoman said he prefers to build on the limited resources already in place.
"We're not going to reinvent the wheel," said the spokeswoman, Janet Kelley.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
As he began his second week as governor, the Republican governor's office issued a laundry list that reflects Corbett's campaign promises and does not break new ground.
"I am committed to provide an open, transparent, accountable and trustworthy government that puts our taxpayers first and gets the commonwealth back on track," said Corbett, who has pledged to balance the state budget that starts July 1 without raising taxes despite a projected deficit of at least $4 billion.
Corbett's proposals include requiring state employees to submit receipts before they can be reimbursed for food, travel and lodging, expanding an online database of state financial information, changing the state budget from a one-year cycle to two years, and urging legislative leaders to reduce a legislative surplus that currently totals nearly $190 million.
Democrats said Corbett's proposals don't go far enough.
"We're underwhelmed," said Bill Patton, a spokesman for the House Democratic minority. "It leaves us wanting more."
Patton said Democrats do not oppose the governor's proposals, but want more far-reaching reforms such as limits on campaign contributions and more frequent campaign-finance reporting.
Corbett said sponsors of a constitutional amendment that would be necessary to switch to a biennial budget - Rep. Bryan Cutler and Sen. Mike Brubaker, both Lancaster County Republicans - introduced their bill Tuesday.
Corbett said he will direct the General Services Department to audit the more than 16,000 vehicles in the state fleet, which he has said he wants to shrink by as much as 20 percent.
He said he also will appoint a panel to conduct a yearlong review of all state boards and commissions and set expiration dates for any that are inactive or ineffective.
With the GOP now controlling both the executive and legislative branches, legislators in both parties are also making their case for various reforms. At least two lawmakers are promoting proposals to create state databases of information on state spending and contracts, but a Corbett spokeswoman said he prefers to build on the limited resources already in place.
"We're not going to reinvent the wheel," said the spokeswoman, Janet Kelley.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
