Gov. Corbett's "Innovations"
Guv's office releases "innovative" savings list; which seems a little short and soft.
Gov. Corbett's "Innovations"
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
Lest you think all news out of the Corbett administration is bad -- as in getting hammered nationally for suing the NCAA over Penn State sanctions (as he was in Friday's New York Times editorial) -- his office Thursday released, um, evidence of just how good things are really going.
Something called the Governor's Innovation Office put out a press release claiming that since its creation last March it has achieved "more than $84 million in cost savings and productivity gains."
Good, right? Savings are good. Productivity gains are good.
It's just that the only examples offered seem a tad soft and, well, smallish.
The release cites three highlights.
1) "An estimated $1.4 million" in savings from consolidation licensing operations in the Welfare Department.
2) Consolidated mail operations at Labor & Industry "expects to save $400,000."
3) State Police using "communication technology" to reduce troop meetings and therefore fuel costs leads to "estimates" of saving $10,000.
Maybe it's me, but these "innovations" seem sorta obvious, as in representing the kinds of things government should do as a matter of routine, and as in being estimates and expectations rather than take-it-to-bank money.
Also, the "highights" of saving "more than $84 million" total just $1.5 million.
Maybe that's because if you go into the website's (www.innovation.pa.gov) "success stories" you find stuff like big savings at the Liqour Control Board through better staff-scheduling at State Stores which, of course, Corbett wants to do away with.
Still, savings anywhere are good. And I'm betting citizens have some ideas on more savings. (There's a place on the Website to offer same). And, look, any money saved can go to paying what's certain to be huge legal fees to outside counsel for that NCAA litigation.
He spent $5 million on the "show your ID at the polls" media blitz AFTER voter ID law was overturned by the courts. Spender.— snealfleeba- He does not know how to prioritize. He spends time on liquor stores and the lottery, yet puts off pension reform as our cities and school districts implode under pension debt. Unlike Christie, Corbett has avoided taking on the powerful special interest groups and spent time going after those with little power.— robtpenn
- What the anti-Penn State and pro-NCAA pious phonies in the media don't seem to understand is that they are letting emotion rule over the law. First, the lawsuit by Corbett is a good thing as the power of the NCAA will be determined by the courts. These critics of Corbett's lawsuit like Jemnnifer Rubin, a reporter, don't seem to be impressed by the fact that the NCAA president may not have the authority that he claimed he had according to the bylaws of his own organization. Second, the punishments that were given to Penn State will not have an effect on any of the alleged men who participated in the alleged coverup. Barring Penn State from bowls and taking away athletic scholarships mean nothing to Spanier, Schulz, and Curley. The only justice that will be meted out will come from the criminal prosecution of these men. In contrast, the punishments will deeply effect the students and coaches, as well as the taxpayers of the commonwealth---none of whom had anything to do with Sandusky's crimes. When the $60,000,000 fine was announced, supposedly it will be paid with non-taqxpayer funds. Really? Will the money come from Spanier, Curley, and Schulz or will the money come from tuition increases, less academic support for students, putting off repairs to campus facilities? The answer is obvious and none of the critics from the Stinquirer, the New York Slimes, etc can argue that The penalties of the NCAA would punish the accused.— Drumgoole
- Any savings this administration claims will be more than offset by the expense of a ridiculous lawsuit against the NCAA.— mick-of-the-moment
- the one thing this guy does worse than anything else (and that's saying something) is sell things his administration has done right. rendell could make a flop look good, this guy makes progress look like a flop. over in pittsburgh, which has a real newspaper, they had an article on things penndot is doing. research seems to be beyond daily news capabilities. http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/transportation/penndot-website-tries-to-sell-public-on-its-efforts-666716/— dreinterests
- Corbett had his own innovation to get that natural gas money in the form of one million dollars in campaign contributions and free vactions from cEO of natural gas truck company. Corbett does what is best for Corbett and puts PA citizens second. Great job Mr Corbett.— Jeff C.
- Probably chicken feed compared to the savings the Gas companies are getting by not paying a 6% excise tax or how about the $1B in "saved" taxes Shell got for maybe "developing" the contaminated Horsehead smelter site in western PA. I'm sure I'm forgetting other handouts the governor and the legislative have given to industry while our property taxes go up because of state funding cuts. Oops, how could I forget the increased tolls on the Turnpike, which unfairly fall on the drivers in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions? Oh, one more, how about the possible tolls on 422 and I-95, BRILLIANT!— meteo30
- Glad he is going after the NCAA regardless of whatever his motivation is behind it. Still, won't get my vote but I might not campaign as heavily against him if he is successful with this.— linuxdood
- Rendell had many flaws, too many to list on a single web page. However, i never found myself asking why Rendell knowingly allowed a child molester to feast on his favorite prey. When asked isn't one child too many to sacrifice earlier this week on Daily News Live, Corbett replied that there was nothing he could do. When asked why there was only one investigator assigned to the case, Corbett replied there was nothing he could do. The question remains: What can Corbett do?— Stilldiesel11
- There is a very good reason that you don't recall any critical articles about Rendell..The "Pro-Democratic" press always turned a blind eye..— Phiggles
- Uh, "innovations" conveys an actual occurrence, not "estimates", not "expectations". The only thing this bought-off POS slime bag has concretely done is effectively give half the state to his owner Aubrey McClendon, carve up public assets for the private benefit of his stockholders, and find new and "innovative" ways to pad his vacation and retirement accounts. Oh, and hold out for the best offer to take up this immoral "fight
" against the NCAA, after he effectively gave the green light to letting a pedophile prey on a state college campus for a decade. Nothing but a virus infecting every Pennsylvanian.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatusTheSecond - @FletcherT: I thought the same thing. I hardly recall seeing many, if any, articles critical of Rendell when he was gov. Also, there wasn't a section called "The Corzine Chronicles".— TyroneShoes
- Look, I don't care too much for the guy, either....but, I think the "journalists" for this fish wrapper dp a little too much one sided nagging. Bet that Fast Eddie was saved your scorn. Why is that? Hmmmm....— FletcherT
- Enough with the Corbett bashing. I've never seen a paper on such a crusade against a govenor. This is getting stupid. — Fritz and Alice
- Corbett's fellow GOP members are embarassed by him.
During GOP national convention he was kicked to the back bench out of public view.
Corbett is close to the other tea party crazies like the Witch Lady from Delaware; but not quite as crazy.— Seed1 - But I have to give credit to Corbett for being master of fund raising.
Then again you wonder if the dollars from Sandusky was worth the sacrificing the kids. You have to wonder how much Corbett is getting by letting Texas gas companies to rob PA.— Seed1 - Perhaps that's because Rendell was no where near as bad and ineffective as Corbett and his administration? Hmmmm....
— daxtremesolja
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
