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Poll Suggests Gov. Corbett Vulnerable in 2014
Just 39% of voters approve of the job Governor Tom Corbett is doing, according to Wednesday’s Quinnipiac Poll, while 49% disapprove. The governor’s Quinnipiac Poll numbers have been worse – 35% approval in June 2013 – but not by much.
Pollster Tim Malloy also took an early look at potential General Election matchups for Corbett in 2014. “If the election were held today, six of the possible Democratic contenders, their races with the governor would be too close to call,” Malloy explains, “and he would in fact lose convincingly to Representative Joe Sestak and he would lose as well to Allyson Schwartz.”
Former US Congressman Joe Sestak is currently leading Corbett 47 – 38, while current US Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz leads Corbett 42 – 39. Neither has officially entered the race.
However Corbett can at least hang his hat on the fact that he’s polling better than the General Assembly. The legislature’s approval numbers stand at 28 – 58. Malloy says, “It’s a tough time to be a politician.”
Liquor Privatization Bill Introduced
The legislation essentially puts the plan Governor Tom Corbett outlined in January into bill form, and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is optimistic. “People recognize Pennsylvania needs to change in a positive direction. We’re now talking about the details of how you structure that change.” Turzai is the bill’s prime sponsor and perhaps the legislature’s biggest proponent of liquor privatization.
While Turzai believes the concepts and objectives of liquor privatization will remain the same, he recognizes the details could change through the legislative process. An amendment already being explored by Liquor Control Committee Chairman John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) would reportedly allow state-run liquor stores to compete with private sector licensees.
House Republican Leader Mike Turzai
Turzai suggests that sort of plan merely takes a different route toward the same destination. “In my mind, once the private sector gets the opportunity to sell wine & spirits, the state stores are – over time – they’re not going to be able to compete.”
The bill (HB 790) appears to be on the fast track. Turzai tells reporters he’s eying a March 18th committee vote and final House passage in late March or early April.
The timetable should raise red flags, according to House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny). “Most legislators want to discuss ways to improve service and convenience for customers through the normal committee process, including hearings,” Dermody says in a statement. “The more complicated his plan becomes, the faster he wants to vote on it with not committee hearings.”
Radio PA Roundtable 02.22.13
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman and Matt Paul bring you the latest from state legislative budget hearings, which included questioning on topics ranging from state pensions to guns. And, as budget season kicks into high gear, what’s the latest on the pension crisis?
Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week.
Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:
[audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/witfaudio/radiopa/Roundtable02-22-13.mp3]
Reactions to Lottery Decision Pouring in
The contract to privatize Pennsylvania Lottery Management has failed Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s “form and legality” test. Reactions abound from stakeholders and elected officials, and their statements are providing a few hints as to what’s next. Check them out for yourself:
Governor Tom Corbett:
“I’m deeply disappointed. I don’t agree with the attorney general’s analysis and decision, and we will review our legal options.
My job is to protect Pennsylvania’s seniors, and we will continue to do that.
We have a growing population where one in four Pennsylvanians will be over the age of 65 by 2017. My goal is to ensure that funding for senior programs keeps pace with that growth.”
(note that in his public comments in Pittsburgh, Governor Corbett said that one in four Pennsylvanians will be over the age of 60 in the next 17-years)
Camelot Global Services:
“We are disappointed with Attorney General Kane’s decision to reject the private management contract. We guarantee our proposal will produce unprecedented profits for senior programs and we have backed our investment in Pennsylvania with $200 million – transferring all risk from state taxpayers. Camelot has indicated it would headquarter in Pennsylvania, pay all taxes required of any commonwealth business, and keep all lottery jobs in the state. We have also publicly stated we would not oppose union organization by our employees. We have no further comment at this time.”
Speaker of the House Sam Smith / House Republican Leader Mike Turzai:
“The administration’s interest was always about growing Lottery proceeds to increase funding for programs, thus helping the state serve its expanding senior population. We also realize many may feel this action by the attorney general ‘saves the Lottery.’ However, given that the Lottery has contracted out significant portions of its current operations, and has done so for many years, we hope the attorney general’s decision does not set the current operations back.
“The legislature passed the lottery law in 1991, giving broad powers to the Secretary of Revenue to manage the operations. Right or wrong, it’s the legislative branch of government that should decide if the governor has too much say. Consequently, we expect that the legislature will be reviewing the attorney general’s determination with great interest.”
House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody:
“The effort to outsource management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a foreign corporation was done largely out of public view and it was wrong. In confirming the legislature’s authority in this matter, the attorney general made the right decision and followed the law.
“Because of her decision, lottery proceeds will continue to benefit older Pennsylvanians rather than being sliced up to benefit corporate shareholders.
“The governor is wrong when he claims the rejection of this improper contract will cost seniors money. I will push during the upcoming budget process to provide even more money than the governor proposed for senior programs and it can be done with the lottery’s current revenue.”
Treasurer Rob McCord:
“I commend the Attorney General for her independent review and subsequent rejection of the administration’s attempt to expand gambling through the state contracting process.
“The administration was repeatedly warned, as early as last year, that the proposed contract would permit new forms of gambling not currently authorized by the Legislature and not regulated by the Gaming Control Board
“Expanding the Lottery is a policy decision that should include the General Assembly, not be done through a closed-door contracting process. Beyond the legal issues, this proposal also raised serious questions about how best to serve seniors efficiently with the programs that the Lottery pays for.”
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale:
“While I have not opposed all privatization, in the case of the Pennsylvania Lottery, Attorney General Kane and her team of lawyers made the right decision after identifying the legal flaws in the contract that would have led to an unprecedented expansion of gambling without legislative and public input.
“I am concerned that the benefits from the private management agreement would not meet or exceed what the current, very well run Lottery could produce in the same time frame. That concern, and the decision to expand gaming, need to be addressed with input from the public and Pennsylvania General Assembly before we go any further.
“I suspect today’s decision will not be the end of this story, but I hope Gov. Corbett will carefully weigh the cost to taxpayers before he decides to pursue this matter further. My office will continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to conduct and fair and independent audit should the contract eventually be implemented.”
Attorney General Rejects Lottery Contract
Like thousands of state contracts every year, the Professional Management Agreement with Camelot Global Services is subject to review for “form and legality.” But Attorney General Kathleen Kane says it failed that test. She says it’s in violation of both the law and the state constitution.
Kane addressed the media for about five minutes this afternoon. Listen to her entire statement by clicking below: KaneLottery
Governor Tom Corbett entered into the contract in hopes of generating billions of additional dollars, over the next 20-years, for state programs that benefit senior citizens.
A recent Franklin & Marshall College Poll found that 64% of Pennsylvanians oppose the move.