John Baer: A soft, uncertain start to Corbett transition

THE OFFICIAL transition from Ed Rendell to Tom Corbett reared its head yesterday and looked a little squishy.

No clue who might serve in top jobs in the new administration other than an assertion that one name could surface next week, but, said Corbett, "Don't hold me to that."

No certainty about exactly who's doing exactly what other than 400 folks, as transition co-chief Tom Paese put it, advising Corbett on "how to take control of the government."

Talk about herding cats. A report's due Jan. 7.

The Guv-elect met behind closed doors with a couple of hundred helpers, including a handful of recognizable Democrats, in an auditorium at the state museum next to the Capitol.

I wondered if the only sign near the closed doors was a statement of Cut-Cut Corbett's human-services policy. It read: No Food or Drink.

There were no other signs of anything solid.

Several folks I spoke with on their way in weren't sure which transition area they were assigned to.

Philly attorney and former Temple Law School Dean Carl Singley, for example, said, "I don't know." He said he was invited so he came.

A Corbett news release issued later listed Singley as working on education.

Philly Democratic Sen. Tony Williams was there because he and Corbett support school-choice initiatives. Philly Republican/TV-talker/minister Joe Watkins was there. So was Philadelphia Chamber boss Rob Wonderling, a former GOP state senator.

There were Cabinet members from the Ridge administration, including former PennDOT boss Brad Mallory and former Corrections Commissioner Marty Horn.

One transitioneer said that with so many well-heeled Republicans on hand, they should take a collection to pay down the deficit.

Then, when Corbett emerged to speak briefly with media, he struck his usual prosecutorial pose, said little and made sure to make no news.

Asked if he'd retain any Rendell Cabinet members (there are 27 of them), Corbett called the question "premature."

Asked if he'd consolidate any agencies of the sprawling government, Corbett, who as candidate called for consolidation of state services, said, "We'll have to see what the transition teams come up with."

Asked if he's closer to naming his successor as state attorney general, Corbett said, "I have some names in mind, and that's where they're staying."

And asked about automatic cost-of-living adjustments taking effect today for lawmakers and scheduled Jan. 1 for judges and other top state officials, Corbett said, "It's very difficult to be expecting COLAs at this period."

Maybe so, but they're coming: 1,500 state officials get a 1.7 percent bump.

Corbett said he'll give his raise (the Guv's salary goes from $174,914 to $177,888) to charity but declined to suggest other specific action.

"I certainly want to have a discussion with the Legislature," he said. Pressed for details, he added, "I'm going to limit it to that."

Meanwhile, state Auditor General Jack Wagner said Corbett and lawmakers should impose a moratorium on the raises, which cost taxpayers $3 million.

Wagner said that with the state facing huge deficits and with too many citizens suffering the effects of recession, the raises should be stopped: "This is a leadership issue. . . . Symbolically, it's huge."

And he said $3 million could fund a meals-on-wheels program or keep some libraries open.

The auditor general said he'd return his $2,474 raise to the general fund.

Asked about Corbett and others pledging raises to charity, Wagner said, "I don't think that sends a strong enough message to the taxpayers."

Neither do I. It's taxpayers' money. It shouldn't go to public servants' personal charities or for personal tax breaks.

This is but the start of the Corbett era. Some slack is appropriate. But this start was soft and porous, and didn't send a strong message to taxpayers.

Send e-mail to baerj@phillynews.com.

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