Troubled waters for another Wolf nominee

HARRISBURG - For the second time in as many months, a panel of state senators on Tuesday chose to not endorse one of Gov. Wolf's cabinet nominees - amid signs that steeper odds await the next one.

After a hearing, the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee declined to take a position on acting Secretary of Environmental Protection John Quigley before moving his nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

Forwarding the nomination without open support is an unusual step and reflects friction between the first-term Democrat and the Republican-controlled legislature as they embark on budget negotiations.

A similar battle - if not a bigger one - is brewing over Wolf's pick for Pennsylvania State Police commissioner, Marcus Brown. He faces a nomination hearing Wednesday.

A committee last month took the same step of no recommendation with the nomination of Secretary of State Pedro Cortes. But the Senate approved him Tuesday, despite dissenting votes from 18 Republicans.

Some had blamed Cortes, who served as secretary of state under Gov. Ed Rendell, for missing opportunities to stop Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, who was convicted of killing babies.

"I am very concerned about his ability to lead and his ability to manage," said Sen. John Eichelberger (R., Blair). "The grand jury report from the Kermit Gosnell case blames his department squarely for a lot of the management problems and the decisions that were made at the time."

Sen. Rob Teplitz (D., Perry) said Cortes brings invaluable experience to the job.

"He's the most experienced that there could be to be considered for this position," Teplitz said. "He's already the longest-serving secretary of the commonwealth in our state's history."

Quigley, a former mayor of Hazleton, led the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under Rendell.

The Senate panel grilled him Tuesday for 90 minutes, zeroing in on his statements that shale gas was the "crack cocaine of state government" and that Pennsylvania should "seize the opportunity to turn off coal."

Quigley downplayed the remarks and pledged a balanced approach to supporting the energy industry - including coal - while protecting the environment.

"Our work must demonstrate that economic development and protection of the public health and the environment are inextricably linked," he said. "I'm committed to that mission and that approach, and I believe that Pennsylvania's future depends on maintaining that balance."

Quigley would oversee an agency with 2,700 employees and a budget of $120 million. The DEP enforces the state's environmental laws and issues permits and licenses to firms in various industries, allowing the operation of coal power plants and natural gas wells.

In a statement, a Wolf spokesman said the administration viewed "the forward progress of his nomination as a positive sign." A full Senate vote is likely Wednesday.

Questions about Quigley's fitness for the post pale next to those Brown, the acting commissioner, is likely to face.

Former state troopers and their allies have opposed his nomination in part because he has chosen to wear their uniform despite not graduating from the State Police Academy or climbing the ranks in Pennsylvania. Some Republican lawmakers have questioned his ability to lead.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) told reporters Tuesday that he and his fellow Democrats are still working with Republicans over their concerns about Brown, a onetime Baltimore police officer who rose to lead Maryland's state police.

The Senate is required to vote on all of Wolf's nominations by Tuesday and approve a state budget by the end of the month.

@Ben_Finley