Tom Corbett

Tom Corbett (2014)

Thomas Wingett "Tom" Corbett, Jr. (* 17th June 1949 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ) is an American politician of the Republican Party . From January 18, 2011 to January 20, 2015 he was governor of the state of Pennsylvania.

Corbett is a lawyer and began his career in 1976 as an assistant to a district attorney in Pennsylvania. After that, he worked alternately as a lawyer in the private and public sectors for different lengths of time. After Corbett was from 1989 to 1993 United States Attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania, he held from October 1995 to January 1997 - temporarily appointed by the governor - the post of Attorney General of the state of Pennsylvania. After eight more years as a lawyer in the private sector, he ran again in 2004 as Attorney General. He therefore returned to his old post at the beginning of 2005 and was re-elected in 2008. Nominated as a candidate for governor by the Republicans in 2010, Corbett won the election on November 2, 2010 and took office as his state's head of government on January 18, 2011. Although as governor he succeeded in balancing the state budget, reducing unemployment and implementing a non-partisan modernization program for the infrastructure, among other things, he scored increasingly poorly in opinion polls due to numerous controversies in educational and social policy and was not voted for one in November 2014 re-elected for second term. On January 20, 2015, he was replaced by the Democrat Tom Wolf . After the end of his tenure, Corbett temporarily withdrew into private life. He has been a lecturer in law and politics since autumn 2015.

Earlier years and political advancement

Education and legal career

Tom Corbett's father, Thomas Corbett Sen. (1905-1995), a lawyer who served as the Assistant Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 1965 to 1970 . His mother Mary died of cancer at the age of 56 in March 1967 when Corbett was 17 years old.

Corbett graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a degree in education in 1971 . After a year as a teacher, he began studying law at St. Mary's University Law School in 1972, graduating in 1975. From 1971 to 1984 he served in the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard , where he was promoted to captain . He began his legal career in the civil service in 1976 as assistant to the district attorney. In this role, his focus was on rape offenses . Four years later, he was promoted to Assistant Attorney General . From 1983 Corbett worked as a lawyer in the private sector for several years. In 1988 he was hired to oversee the judicial control of Allegheny County Prison . Shortly thereafter, in May 1989, he was appointed federal attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania by US President George Bush , at the time the youngest in his state, at just 40 years of age. He held this office until May 1993, when he was replaced by the new Democratic President Bill Clinton . Then Corbett worked again as a lawyer in the private sector.

Interim Attorney General of Pennsylvania (1995–1997)

In October 1995, the previous Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Ernie Preate , resigned after allegations of corruption . Governor Tom Ridge named Corbett as his successor. Although the state's Attorney General is elected by the citizens for four years, the governor had to appoint a new elector for the remainder of the term because the state's constitution does not provide for a separate by-election. However, his appointment also had to be confirmed by the State Legislature . The Democrats tied their approval on the condition that Corbett would not stand for re-election after the end of the term, which is a common practice in Pennsylvania for appointed officers in electoral offices. In November 1996, when the next regular election of the Attorney General was due, Corbett therefore did not stand and resigned from the government in January 1997 after a term of office without any significant incident. Mike Fisher was his successor .

Return to the private sector (1997-2005)

For around eight years, from 1997 to 2005, Corbett worked as a private lawyer. He initially acted as legal advisor to Thorp, Reed & Armstrong , and from 1998 at Waste Management . In March 2002 he opened his own law firm, Thomas Corbett and Associates , where he worked until his candidacy as Attorney General of Pennsylvania.

Again Attorney General (2005-2011)

In November 2004 he ran for the office of Attorney General, won this election against the Democrat Jim Eisenhower with 50.4 percent of the vote and returned in January 2005 to the office. On November 4, 2008, he was re-elected with 52.3 percent against John Morganelli . Corbett's victory was accompanied by a high level of media interest: In Pennsylvania, he had by far the best result of a Republican on a day that was characterized by rather unfavorable conditions for his party: the 2008 presidential election took place at the same time , and Barack Obama also in Pennsylvania received a clear majority of the vote. The other elections that day went nationwide in favor of the Democrats. In January 2009 he began his second term as Attorney General.

In January 2011, after his election as governor, Corbett resigned as Attorney General. As governor, he temporarily appointed William H. Ryan, Jr. , to succeed him in this post.

Role in Penn State abuse scandal

Corbett as Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 2008

During Corbett's tenure as Attorney General of Pennsylvania, a sensational abuse scandal occurred at Pennsylvania State University , which was also received internationally. The football coach Jerry Sandusky was accused of sexual abuse of children . In 2009, as Attorney General, Corbett convened a grand jury that in 2012 (when Corbett was already governor) sentenced Sandusky to several decades ' imprisonment. Corbett was criticized in the media for the fact that the verdict against Sandusky came only three years after the grand jury was called. The grant of three million US dollars by the staff of Governor Corbett to the organization The Second Mile was also criticized . This non-profit was founded by Sandusky himself to help sexually abused children and played a role in exposing the allegations. Sandusky left The Second Mile in 2010, however. Some US media described the release of the funds to the organization as absurd. The former FBI director Louis Freeh , however, saw no objectivity in Corbett's behavior in handling the scandal.

Lawsuit against the health reform "Obamacare"

Although Corbett agreed to an expansion of the health care reform initiated by President Obama during his tenure as governor , he joined a complaint by 17 Republican colleagues in the Supreme Court against the reform in March 2010 . The Republican Attorney Generals argued that the law passed by Congress and signed by the President a few days earlier was unconstitutional because it required US citizens to take out health insurance. The aim was to have the reform lifted by the court. However, in the summer of 2012, after a further ten other states joined the lawsuit, the judges declared the law to be constitutional.

Fight against corruption

Corbett also became known as Attorney General for his actions against corruption in the civil service . Affected were members of the state legislature and their employees. Between 2008 and 2010, the Corbett-led office of the Attorney General initiated investigations into several state senators and MPs for corruption. Most of the cases involved misappropriating government funds to finance election campaigns. Three MPs were sentenced to prison terms and two others were acquitted . Those convicted included Mike Veon , who once chaired the Democratic Group in the House of Representatives . As Attorney General, he charged a total of 25 people, including MPs and their employees. Through his crackdown on corruption in the civil service, Corbett earned a bipartisan reputation.

Controversy over pornographic emails

When it became known in the summer of 2014 that Corbett's staff member had been sending emails with pornographic content while he was serving as Attorney General, there was widespread public discussion. The Democrats accused him of his leadership style being indirectly responsible for such incidents. Corbett, who, according to his own statement and according to media reports, should not have received such emails, rejected this criticism as absurd. "I wish I had received such an email, because then it would have stopped immediately," says Corbett. However, the recipients of the emails included two later members of Corbett's cabinet who were considered confidants of the governor: State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan and Secretary of Environmental Protection Christopher Abruzzo. On October 3, 2014, both resigned from their positions.

In the wake of the scandal, a public dispute over the publication of all emails developed between Tom Corbett and Kathleen Kane , who has held the office of Attorney General since January 2013. The Democrat Kane refused to publish all details about the mails sent. Previously, Corbett asked her to do so in an open letter. The governor and Republican politicians mainly criticized the fact that Kane only published the names of mail recipients who were considered to be the governor's former confidants. Shortly before the 2014 gubernatorial election, leading Republicans in Pennsylvania described Kane's behavior as politically motivated to harm Corbett's public image.

Candidate for governor in 2010

Map of Pennsylvania with the result of the 2010 gubernatorial election by counties :

Majority for Dan Onorato (D)

Majority for Tom Corbett (R)

On September 15, 2009, Corbett announced his candidacy for governor of his home state in the 2010 election. Two months later, Sam Rohrer , a MP in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, joined the race , backed by the Conservative Tea Party movement . Corbett, a more moderate Republican, then received support from the leadership of the state's party organization (the "party establishment"). While Rohrer portrayed Corbett as not being conservative enough in his campaign , the Attorney General countered with criticism of Rohrer's voting behavior in the state legislature . The Corbett camp accused the MP of approving diet increases a few years earlier, which were unpopular with the Republican party base. At the Primary held on May 18, 2010 , Corbett prevailed clearly against Rohrer with 68.7 percent compared to 31.3 percent of the votes. Corbett's higher profile had also contributed to his primary victory.

As a candidate for the office of lieutenant governor , the District Councilor Jim Cawley was put up, who was successful in the primaries for this post. Although the primaries for both offices in Pennsylvania are held separately, both candidates can only be elected together in the actual election.

During the fall 2010 election campaign, Corbett ruled out tax increases for citizens and businesses. By reducing taxes and deregulation , a more business-friendly climate should be created so as to economic growth and to promote the unemployment lower. He also called for government spending to be limited ( fiscal policy discipline , including a “ lean state ”) in order to be able to balance the national budget . In the opinion polls before the polls, Corbett was always in the lead at different intervals.

In the gubernatorial election in Pennsylvania on November 2, 2010 Corbett won with 54.5 percent of the vote over the Democrat Dan Onorato , who received 45.5 percent of the vote. He had a majority in 63 of the state's 67  counties . Only in the structurally democratic urban regions around the city of Philadelphia did Onorato receive higher votes. The turnout was relatively low at 46 percent, which is common for midterm elections (between two presidential elections ). Corbett's victory was favored by the general political mood: his party also posted significant gains in the Congress elections . Dissatisfaction with the Obama administration was primarily responsible for the Republicans' triumphant advance. The economy in particular recovered only slowly from 2007 onwards from the financial crisis .

Pennsylvania Governor (2011-2015)

Tom Corbett during his inauguration speech on January 18, 2011

Governor's Mansion in Harrisburg , residence of the Governor of Pennsylvania

The State Capitol in Harrisburg, where the governor has his office

On January 18, 2011, Tom Corbett was sworn in as the 46th Governor of Pennsylvania. His candidate for Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley also took the oath that day. He replaced the Democrat Ed Rendell , who was constitutionally no longer allowed to run for two terms.

Economic and financial policy

State budget

After taking office, Corbett faced a large budget deficit . In the last annual budget of his predecessor, the deficit was $ 4.6 billion. The state's economy was hit particularly hard by the financial crisis that began in 2007 . His government's first budget provided for a three percent cut in government spending. It was the first state budget in four decades that annual spending did not increase. In the early summer of 2011, the governor presented the first budget on schedule in eight years. This means that the new budget could be passed before the start of the new fiscal year on June 30, 2011, which was made easier by the fact that the Republicans had a majority in both houses of the General Assembly . The following budgets could also be decided on in time. With an improving economy and savings in numerous areas (such as welfare and environmental protection) and on the state apparatus, Corbett managed to balance the state budget without raising taxes. Also in the following years he managed a balanced state budget. To achieve additional savings, the Governor set in January 2012 by an available one overdue pay increase of state employees, which usually annually to compensate for inflation is carried out. This also affected his own salary.

Despite the balanced state budget, the rating agency Moody’s downgraded the state 's creditworthiness from AA2 to AA3 in July 2014 . The reason given by the rating agency was the expected additional burdens on the state treasury due to the rapidly rising costs for pensions in the public sector . Therefore, despite the solid economy, whose growth is below the national average, there is a risk of not being able to meet the goal of a budget without new debt in the long term. Corbett saw this as confirmation of his call for a comprehensive reform of the pension system. He contradicted the Democrats, who blamed him for the downgrade due to insufficient growth, and called for swift action by the senators and MPs in the area of ​​pensions. In the budget that had been passed shortly before, he had already blocked some items of expenditure by means of a line item veto in order to induce members of the legislature to reorganize pensions. These items were a series of additional payments to members of the legislature. The year before, Corbett had presented a comprehensive concept to curb the rapidly rising costs for pensions and thus also limit tax increases. The increase in spending is primarily the result of poor population growth (compared to other states) in Pennsylvania. According to the will of Corbett and his budget office, newly hired public employees will later receive lower pension payments. Future salaries are also to be reduced by up to 26 percent. This only affects retirees with an income of $ 62,000 or more per year. Benefits for retirees who are already retired at the time of the reform would not be affected by this plan. According to the Pennsylvania state government, this could save $ 12 billion for contributors and $ 40 billion for the treasury over the next 30 years. The State Legislature was unable to agree on a reform by autumn 2014, as numerous Republicans are also calling for changes to Corbett's concept, which they consider to be unaffordable in its current form.

One day after the lost re-election, on November 5, 2014, a group of MPs from both parties brought a lawsuit against Corbett and other members of his government in a state court. The reason given was that the governor had exceeded his powers with his line item veto in the last budget against special financial benefits for members of the legislature. Corbett denied the allegations; he only acted within the scope of his powers of attorney. The lawsuit was finally dismissed on December 30, 2015 and Corbett's actions as governor were found lawful.

Labor market and minimum wage

Corbett giving a speech in September 2012

More than 100,000 new jobs were created in Pennsylvania during Corbett's tenure. The Democrats criticize this by citing studies that put Pennsylvania at the bottom of the list among US states in terms of job creation. Corbett rejected this criticism and cited the development of the unemployment rate , which fell from 8.2 to 5.6 percent from taking office by spring 2014. He also pointed out that a stronger increase in new jobs in other US states was due to their worse starting position after the financial crisis. In the fall of 2014, during the election campaign for his re-election, he also referred to figures from employment agencies that there were around 200,000 vacancies in the private sector in Pennsylvania. The government's task is now to adequately qualify job seekers for these jobs through various educational programs.

During his tenure, Corbett spoke out against raising the minimum wage from $ 7.25 to $ 10  per hour worked ($ 7.25 is the nationally set lower limit, but states can go beyond that). In doing so, he contradicted the demands of the Democrats, who advocate an increase in the statutory minimum wage in Pennsylvania. Corbett believes that raising the minimum wage would damage the state's competitiveness . Therefore, an increase in the minimum wage at federal level makes more sense. He also advocated more investment in education programs so that job seekers can gain qualifications for better-paid jobs. The governor also argued that an increase would destroy vacation jobs and other job opportunities for young people and students who depend on them.

Educational policy

Following the announcement of spending cuts in the education sector, there were demonstrations against Corbett's policies, as here on March 28, 2011 in Harrisburg

Graph of state spending on education per fiscal year, including funds from the national stimulus package

Expenses during the administration of Governor Ed Rendell

Expenses during the administration of Governor Tom Corbett

Graph of state spending per fiscal year on education excluding the national stimulus plan (excluding state spending)

Expenses during the administration of Governor Ed Rendell

Expenses during the administration of Governor Tom Corbett

When the new annual budget, starting in July, was drawn up with the legislature in March 2011, Corbett announced the cancellation of around one billion US dollars from the education budget, which led to sharp criticism. Corbett justified the move with the expiry of funds from the American federal government . The previous Democratic government under Governor Rendell actually had funds that were limited in time from the economic stimulus program initiated by President Obama in 2009 to flow into the education budget of Pennsylvania. For this purpose, the grants for the education system from the state budget were reduced in the last three budget years of the Rendell administration from around 9.1 to almost 8.6 billion dollars. As a result of the loss of the funds, 14,000 jobs in the education sector, mainly teachers, had to be terminated. A number of courses in schools could no longer be offered either. Corbett said it was impossible to immediately and completely replace the federal government's defective funds from the Pennsylvania state budget without taking on additional debt for the purpose. Corbett rejected calls by the Democrats for tax increases or the introduction of new taxes, referring to his campaign promises from 2010. He also rejected criticism from teachers' unions. In the summer of 2014, the governor accused them of spending millions of euros to spread that he himself was responsible for the cuts in the education budget. Corbett described these representations by the unions as untrue and purely politically motivated. In addition, the governor countered his critics with the argument that not only the amount of the invested funds are decisive for a functioning education system, but also for which specific purposes the money is made available.

In all the following budget years , the state's financial participation in education was steadily increased, gradually replacing the federal government's funds. In the 2013/14 budget year, total educational expenditure was again reached for the first time at the level before the end of the economic stimulus package. The state's grants in the 2014-15 budget were just over $ 10 billion (out of a total budget of around $ 29 billion), which in 2014 was the highest ever, according to government figures. In his government's first budget, it was just under 9.1 billion US dollars, in the 2010/11 budget, the last of the Rendell government, a little more than 8.5 billion US dollars. In the 2014/15 fiscal year, for the first time during the Corbett administration, additional financial resources were made available for the training of mentally disabled people . In addition, an additional $ 10 million was earmarked for the Head Start early childhood education program and other early childhood education programs. Among other things, around 1,600 more children will benefit from Head Start.

In September 2011, the governor called on school districts in the state to voluntarily waive the next regular salary increase for teachers and other education employees. Only 140 of the total of 500 districts suspended the next pay increase.

On September 24, 2014, Governor Corbett signed a bill to introduce a local cigarette tax, the proceeds of which will go directly to educational institutions in the Philadelphia school district whose financial troubles were recently revealed. The law provides a special tax of $ 2 on every pack of cigarettes . This measure was partly controversial within the Republican parliamentary groups, while the Democrats welcomed the plan.

Privatization project

Wine and liquor sales

In January 2013, Governor Corbett announced plans to privatize state-run wine and liquor sales . Corbett described the distribution by the public sector as no longer appropriate, as 48 US states have already privatized the sale of these products. Besides, according to the governor, this is not the state's job at all. Selling them to private operators creates a larger market for these products, which benefits consumers. Although the state House of Representatives has already approved the project, the State Senate, despite Corbett's insistence, did not approve it until the fall of 2014, as Republican senators are also critical of the project.

State Lottery

In the 2010 election campaign, Corbett called for the privatization of the state lottery operated by the state of Pennsylvania . Their operation is not the task of the public sector. The financial proceeds from the sale were cited as another reason for implementing the plan. In November 2012, the governor announced his decision to approve the sale of the lottery to the British company Camelot (and only interested party). However, the project was extremely controversial in public. Not only did the Democrats refuse to sell the lottery, there was also some considerable resistance from the Republicans. In early 2013, Democratic Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced that she considered Corbett's plans constitutionally questionable. In the face of these concerns and public opposition, the state legislature failed to see a majority in favor of implementing the governor's plans. On January 2, 2014, Corbett announced that he would no longer pursue the privatization plans. In the US media, given a Republican majority in the legislature, this was seen as Corbett's political defeat.

Health policy

Although Corbett was critical of President Barack Obama's health care reforms at the start of his tenure , he was one of just over a handful of Republican governors to agree to an extension in the state of Pennsylvania in early 2013. In February 2014, his government presented the Healthy PA plan , which aims to make the Medicaid program more accessible to more people. In August 2014, Corbett signed the law, and after the federal authorities approved this health plan in September, it went into effect on January 1, 2015. Pennsylvania joins 26 states that have already passed an expansion of health care reforms. In reference to Barack Obama's health care reform, which became known as Obamacare , the media coined the name Corbettcare for Corbett's plans .

According to Corbett's plan, about 500–600,000 more people in Pennsylvania will receive benefits from Medicaid, a health care program for people in need. People whose earnings are up to 133 percent of the nationally classified as “poor” income can apply for benefits. People whose earnings are above the nationally classified as poor are obliged to contribute two percent of the household income. The opposition Democrats in the State Legislature criticized this regulation. Also is health insurance for children in any case guaranteed. Until the end of 2016, the federal government will assume all costs for expanding the program. In Corbett's original plan, the unemployed would have to demonstrate their efforts to find employment in order to receive benefits. Not only the Pennsylvania Democrats criticized this rule, but also the federal agencies who prevented this rule in negotiations with Corbett.

Previously, in contrast to the Democrats, Corbett had rejected an expansion of the classic Medicaid program without the insured's own contribution for reasons of cost. Even in the two-month period between his 2014 election defeat and the end of his term in office, he refused, as his designated successor Tom Wolf demanded, to put Heathy PA on hold in favor of a full Medicaid expansion. Wolf then took this step in February 2015. The services of the 156,000 citizens who were already using Healthy PA at this point, however, remain unaffected.

Veteran aid

Governor Corbett (left) signed several bills designed to benefit veterans on November 12, 2012

On November 12, 2012, Corbett signed a bundle of significant laws designed to benefit veterans . Among other things, 1.7 billion US dollars will be made available under the plans to finance welfare programs for veterans, especially from the Pennsylvanian National Guard . The plans also provide for a financial increase in psychological counseling programs that offer help for traumatized National Guards and police officers. State agencies are also encouraged to outsource government contracts to small and medium-sized firms founded by veterans whenever possible.

Fracking

Corbett is a strong advocate of fracking . During his tenure, the expansion of this production method for natural gas was massively promoted, whereupon Pennsylvania rose within the USA to the second largest producer of natural gas after Texas . In February 2011, shortly after he took office, he signed a law that removes regulations on fracking in green spaces. A spokesman for the governor defended the law against criticism from environmental organizations and described the regulation introduced under Governor Rendell as unnecessary.

On February 17, 2012, Corbett signed a major law (known as the Marcellus Shale Law) to completely revise fracking. The law was a compromise between supporters and opponents of stricter regulation of the fracking industry that was negotiated by a working group led by Lieutenant Governor Cawley. The new regulation obliges companies producing natural gas to pay a fee to the communities concerned that are affected by the effects of fracking. In 2012 alone, cities received around $ 200 million in revenue from this fee. According to the Corbett administration, the revenues are twice as high as would be the case with a separate fracking tax, which is demanded by many Democrats. He accommodated the industry insofar as it was henceforth forbidden to municipalities to impose a ban on drilling in certain districts, including residential areas. Any geographical restrictions have also been lifted with the new law on the laying of natural gas pipelines . In particular, the aim was to promote the rapid transport of shale gas to other states.

A number of affected communities and their residents sharply criticized the law as an interference with their rights and brought an action in court. After a district court ruled that the ban was unconstitutional, the Pennsylvania State Court agreed in December 2013 and declared the rule invalid. Shortly after the verdict was announced, Corbett expressed disappointment with the decision. Environmental protection associations welcomed the judgment.

The Democrats, as well as some Republican members of the state legislature, are in favor of introducing a fracking tax. Tom Wolf , Corbett's successor elected in 2014, demanded in his election manifesto a levy of five percent on revenues from natural gas produced in Pennsylvania. Proponents of the tax want to invest these proceeds in education and environmental protection projects in particular. Corbett opposed the introduction of such a tax, as this would lead to the relocation of gas companies to other states and thus threatened job losses in Pennsylvania. The governor contradicts the proponents' argument that all other states have already introduced such a tax. He referred to the higher corporate tax rates in his country.

In May 2014, Corbett also revised a directive by his predecessor Ed Rendell that banned state parks from fracking. The Democrats and environmental groups in particular sharply criticized this decision. His successor Tom Wolf put this ban back into force just a few days after taking office in January 2015.

Environmental protection and renewable energies

The environmental organization Penn Environment criticized Corbett's environmental protection policy as inadequate in an October 2013 report . The environmentalists see considerable risks in particular in energy policy and in the governor's extremely friendly attitude towards the fracking industry. Corbett's support for the two fracking laws from 2011 and 2012 as a blank check for the fracking industry at the expense of environmental protection was sharply criticized. The report also complains about cuts in environmental projects (such as the construction of parks), the funding of which Corbett had severely restricted as part of budget consolidation since 2011.

The governor did not react directly; on June 12, 2014, his office presented various plans to provide around 12.5 million US dollars for the expansion of renewable energies . With their increased expansion, environmental protection can be combined with the creation of new jobs. The funds are to be made available to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, a publicly funded but independent agency. A comprehensive expansion of renewable energies is not to be expected in Pennsylvania in the coming decades for reasons of the market economy . Due to the large deposits of natural gas and coal , energy generation from these fossil fuels is much cheaper.

Infrastructure

Tom Corbett in December 2013

Shortly after taking office, Corbett presented a plan to modernize the infrastructure . After lengthy parliamentary deliberations, the so-called Transportation Bill was passed and signed by Corbett on November 25, 2013. Corbett praised the impartiality with which the law was passed. The US media viewed the implementation of the bill as a success for the government. The new law reforms large parts of the public transportation system and its financing in Pennsylvania. As a result of a change in the tax code, the tax on fuels increased by several cents per gallon from January 1, 2014 . The law also passed a resolution to increase vehicle registration fees (an annual fee of US $ 36 is charged with a surcharge of two dollars). The additional income is earmarked for the construction and maintenance of the road network. The governor's office said the reform is expected to generate $ 2.3 billion in revenue annually. This could increase the budget for infrastructure projects by around 40 percent.

Although the financing reform of the transport system came about on a non-partisan basis, politicians from the conservative wing of his party criticized Corbett. Individuals accused the governor of an indirect tax increase and thus of breaking his campaign promises from 2010. Corbett rejected this criticism.

Social Policy and Controversy

Right to abortion

Corbett rejects the Pennsylvania right to abortion . In public he called adoption the better alternative, referring to his own daughter who has adopted a child. In the spring of 2012, a legislative initiative was controversial in Pennsylvania that would have required women to undergo an ultrasound scan before an abortion . The governor indicated his approval. At a press conference he was asked whether women could be legally compelled to undergo such an examination and thus to look at an ultrasound image, whereupon he replied:

"I don't know how you make anybody watch, okay? Because you just have to close your eyes. "

“I don't know how to force someone, okay? You can just close your eyes. "

Corbett was then sharply criticized in public and in the media for his statement. He was also accused of sexism . Other voices, including his Democratic predecessor Ed Rendell , defended Corbett, but described his choice of words as inappropriate. The governor himself criticized the media coverage. This would have taken his remarks out of context. Ultimately, the state legislature rejected the project. In October 2014, Corbett denied having ever supported the bill and called the proposal to make an ultrasound examination mandatory as nonsensical.

Same-sex marriage

Although Corbett spoke out in favor of more far-reaching laws against discrimination against homosexuals , he is skeptical of legal equality for same-sex marriages . In October 2013, he came under fire when he obviously compared it to incest . The comment made by the governor was widely viewed by the public as condescending and inappropriate. He caused a shit storm on social media . Corbett replied that he simply wanted to point out that both same-sex marriage and incest are not legal in the state of Pennsylvania under current law. In a public statement, Corbett apologized for his testimony. However, he also criticized the media for quoting his comment out of context.

In May 2014, a federal judge ruled Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage, which existed before he took office, unconstitutional . This means that same-sex marriages can now be concluded. Although Republican Party politicians urged the Pennsylvania government to appeal the verdict , Corbett declined to challenge the judge's decision.

Legalization of cannabis

In the summer of 2014, reports came up that, after Colorado , Pennsylvania was also beginning to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. Even Republican members of the state legislature spoke out in favor of such an endeavor. Polls also show that a large majority of the Pennsylvania population is in favor of legalization. However, since Corbett opposes any legalization of cannabis, which he called a gateway drug, he announced his veto against such a law . As early as April 2013, Corbett caused a sensation in a radio interview after citing the unwillingness of some job seekers to successfully complete a drug test as one of the reasons for prolonged unemployment . In particular, politicians from the ranks of the Democratic Party described the governor's arguments as inadequate.

Arms Control

As a proponent of the Second Amendment , Corbett is critical of the tightening of gun law . After some states such as New York had tightened their gun laws in December 2012 as a result of the rampage at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut , the governor of Pennsylvania rejected such a step. In his opinion, more restrictive gun laws are not a suitable instrument shootings to thwart. Instead, he advocated more preventive measures such as school social work and other psychological counseling services to prevent such incidents. Critics accuse Corbett of depriving precisely those prevention programs of the financial basis with his policy of budget consolidation.

On October 21, 2014, the Pennsylvania State Legislature, with the approval of the governor, passed a controversial gun law that allows members of the NRA and other firearms associations to take legal action against local gun control guidelines that go beyond state law. According to the law, all litigation and legal costs should also be charged to the municipalities if such a lawsuit is successful. In both chambers of the legislature , the so-called “municipal gun-law bill” was adopted by a large majority. In addition to the Republican majority, a few Democrats also agreed. In addition to the mayors of the affected cities, Corbett's Democratic rival candidate also expressed his rejection in the gubernatorial election that took place a few weeks later. Tom Wolf argued that it was a matter of lifting necessary gun controls. Corbett defended the law, emphasizing that Pennsylvania courts had already ruled that municipalities did not have the right to more restrictive, locally limited, gun control.

death penalty

For more serious crimes such as child murder or police officer murder , Corbett advocates the use of the death penalty . Although the death penalty is formally legal in the state of Pennsylvania, it has not been used since 1999, due to the fact that various legal reviews in various federal courts take a long time. The three people executed since the re-introduction of the death penalty in 1978 had waived these legal recourse. During his tenure, Corbett countersigned 48 execution warrants ; with which he refused a pardon . However, the actual enforcement has so far been repeatedly postponed by federal courts.

In February 2015, his successor Tom Wolf imposed a moratorium on the death penalty; Corbett had signed five more execution orders just days before the end of his term .

"Voter ID Law"

Governor Corbett makes a public appearance in March 2014

On March 15, 2012, after the State Senate , the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania also passed a controversial suffrage law (known as the "Voter ID Law"; German "Voter Identification Act") with a Republican majority . Corbett, who had spoken out in favor of the new regulation, put it into effect on the same day with his signature. With the new legal situation, every voter was obliged to identify himself with a picture before casting his vote. For this purpose, an identity card , driver's license or student ID should be accepted. Furthermore, the law stipulates that if a valid paper is not presented, one can be submitted within six days. If this deadline is missed, the cast vote expires. The Democrats voted against the bill. They accused Republicans of trying to make voting more difficult for minorities such as African Americans, who are a traditional Democratic constituency. Constitutional concerns were also raised. The governor and MP of his party objected to these representations and emphasized that the purpose of the electoral reform was solely to prevent electoral fraud. The new law for the US presidential election was first applied on November 6, 2012 .

After Democratic politicians filed suit against the law, the Pennsylvania State Court ruled in their favor in early May 2014, ruling the law unconstitutional. Corbett was disappointed, but did not want to appeal the verdict, but rather to discuss a new law with the State Legislature to prevent the manipulation of elections. However, this could not be negotiated before the beginning of the new legislative period in January 2015, as numerous other tasks had to be carried out in the current legislative period.

2014 gubernatorial election

Primaries and election campaign

Tom Corbett, announcing his candidacy for a second term on November 8, 2013

On November 8, 2013, Corbett announced his candidacy for a second term as governor. On May 20, 2014, he was unanimously elected as the party's candidate in the Republican primary. As his running mate , Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley was again appointed without internal party opposition.

A few weeks earlier, the Pennsylvania State Court had declared the opposing candidacy of the party challenger Bob Guzzardi to be inadmissible because of a formal error in his election documents. The state's Republican leadership had filed this lawsuit to prevent competition within the party, although Guzzardi was given little chance of winning the primary. The entrepreneur and political activist Guzzardi had criticized Corbett's administration for being not conservative enough. He publicly accused the governor of pursuing Democratic policies instead of a “conservative agenda” in many areas. Corbett himself and his campaign team did not comment on Guzzardi's criticism.

The election campaign with his democratic challenger Tom Wolf was marked by strong polarization around the governor's previous policy. Controversies in educational and social policy played a role here, as did the economic situation in the state. The Democrats accused the incumbent above all of failing education. Corbett accused Wolf of burdening the middle class with his tax plans and thereby harming the economy; Wolf had misrepresented his educational policy.

In the election dispute, the media also came to different assessments. The PennLive newspaper recommended Tom Wolf's election because Governor Corbett, despite the Republican majorities in the state legislature, had failed to implement important projects such as the reform of the pension system or the privatization of liquor sales. Although the head of government consolidated the budget, the savings did not gain acceptance from the population. Corbett was also criticized for his refusal to tax the booming fracking industry. The TribLive newspaper, on the other hand, issued an election recommendation for the incumbent, as it did in 2010. However, according to TribLive , the governor must get people more enthusiastic about his politics through better public relations and pursue his goals more vigorously. The newspaper pointed to success in its recommendation: Corbett had balanced the budget, reduced unemployment, increased spending on education and presented comprehensive concepts to improve the health system and infrastructure. The newspaper called the criticism of his educational policy unfounded, since Corbett could not be held responsible for the funds lost by the federal government.

In the surveys conducted between January and November 2014, Corbett always lagged behind, although his scores improved over the autumn.

Result, analysis and end of term

Map of Pennsylvania with the results of the 2014 gubernatorial election by counties :

Majority for Tom Wolf (D)

Majority for Tom Corbett (R)

Governor Tom Corbett (right) during a farewell visit to the Pennsylvania National Guard on January 9, 2015

In the gubernatorial election on November 4, 2014, Corbett lost re-election with 45.1 percent of the vote, while 54.9 percent of the voters voted for Wolf. On the evening of the election, he admitted his defeat.

In surveys, Corbett's public reputation has already fallen markedly over a period of three years. In February 2013, only 26 percent of the state's citizens surveyed rated their governor's administration as positive. Political observers attribute the low approval ratings and the electoral defeat in particular to the numerous controversies in social and educational policy. Furthermore, Corbett had not succeeded sufficiently in explaining his policy and thus gaining public acceptance for unpopular measures such as savings in a number of areas. As early as September 2014, Corbett admitted his own mistakes in his public relations work, which, among other things, would have led to his low poll numbers. Furthermore, according to political analysts, the governor reacted too late and too indulgently to criticism from his opponents during the election campaign, which had a massive influence on public opinion to his disadvantage. As evidence for this, it was cited that Corbett had in no way benefited from the favorable framework conditions for his party: The Republicans were not only able to win significantly in the congressional elections, which were taking place at the same time, they also increased their majorities in the state legislature. Except for Sean Parnell from Alaska , who was narrowly defeated by a non-party challenger, all the remaining 17 Republican US governors who stood for election were confirmed in office.

Corbett was the first to be voted out of office since a 1968 constitutional amendment that allowed the governor to run for a second term. His term of office ended on January 20, 2015 with Wolf's swearing-in.

After the governorship

In late December 2014, Corbett announced that he would spend more time with his family after his tenure ended. But he does not intend to withdraw completely from public life. He wanted to perform advisory functions in his party without giving an exact schedule. According to Corbett, he is no longer aiming for an electoral office until further notice.

In June 2015, Corbett opened a stretch of highway that was built as part of its 2013 infrastructure program.

In the Republican primary for the 2016 presidential election , Corbett voted for Chris Christie , New Jersey's governor . Christie, who is considered to be moderate domestically, was also actively involved in the 2010 and 2014 election campaigns for his fellow governor Corbett from the neighboring state. However, Christie withdrew his application in February 2016. At a political discussion event in March 2016, Corbett was critical of the Republican primary campaign. In particular, he complained that too little was talked about political content and criticized Donald Trump , who later won the election .

Since October 2015, Corbett has been working as a lecturer at two Catholic institutions of higher education. He teaches law and politics at St. Vincent College in Latrobe and the Law School of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh . In February 2018, Corbett began a consultancy with a Pennsylvania-based law firm.

Political classification

In the political spectrum, Corbett belongs to the so-called "establishment" of the Republican Party. This represents a moderately conservative worldview in most socio-political areas; in some issues it is also oriented towards the political center . The moderately conservative worldview includes, for example, the rejection of same-sex marriages (but Corbett clearly speaks out against discrimination against homosexuals ), abortions or the legalization of cannabis. The criticism of too far-reaching gun controls can also be mentioned here. On the other hand, he differs significantly from the religious right and other arch-conservative groups such as the tea party movement in that he hardly makes any reference to religion in his office and is an advocate of the constitutional separation of state and church . In economic policy, Corbett stands for a limited role for the state with as little intervention as possible in market events. The public sector should promote free enterprise and concentrate on creating favorable framework conditions in the economy. Avoiding tax increases and thus greater financial leeway for companies and citizens is intended to generate economic growth and reduce the national deficit . A lean state should also contribute to the latter . In terms of social policy, Corbett also calls for the public sector to play a limited role, but is committed to social security systems . In contrast to libertarian movements, he rejects the privatization of Social Security and Medicare . He also speaks out in favor of state welfare as long as it is not abused . This is clear from the example of his health concept, which clearly sets him apart from the tea party movement, which vehemently rejects state health insurance. He also clearly differs from the tea party movement with his commitment to climate change and his attitude towards the democrats, sometimes willing to compromise (as with his health and infrastructure concepts). The internal party opposing candidates by Sam Rohrer 2010 and Bob Guzzardi 2014 showed that Corbett, like other moderately conservative Republicans, are rejected as too moderate by supporters of the tea party movement.

Private life

Susan Corbett (2014)

Corbett has been married to his wife Susan (née Manbeck) since 1972; they have a son and a daughter and four grandchildren (2015). He lives with his wife in his hometown of Shaler Township in western Pennsylvania. During his governor 's tenure, the Governor's Mansion was also available to him in Harrisburg .

Corbett is a member of the Catholic Church . He is also a member of the National Rifle Association .

Web links

Commons : Tom Corbett  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Biography on the website of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (English)
• Tom Corbett in the database of the National Governors Association (English)

Individual evidence

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4. ↑ ^{a b} Biography on the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission website .
5. ↑ Megan O'Matz: Corbett confirmed as PA. Attorney General. The Morning Call (archive), October 3, 1995, accessed October 24, 2014 . 
6. ↑ ^{a b} Debra Erdley: Gubernatorial candidate Corbett plays anti-corruption card. Trib Live, September 7, 2010, accessed October 29, 2014 . 
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31. ^ Karen Langley: Pennsylvania Senate leaders sue Corbett over funding veto. Pittsburgh Post Gazette, November 5, 2014, accessed November 17, 2014 . 
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36. ↑ The Asscoriated Press: Gov. Tom Corbett says increasing minimum wage in Pa. could hurt economy. PennLive, December 7, 2013, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
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38. ^ Steve Esack: Survey: State lost more than 14,000 school jobs. The Morning Call, September 15, 2011, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
39. ↑ Steve Esack: Corbett Contends He Did not Cut Education in New Ad. The Morning Call, February 5, 2013, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
40. ↑ Ed Mahon: Did Gov. Corbett really cut $ 1 billion from education? York Daily Record, September 15, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
41. ↑ Nick Field: Gov. Corbett lays out budget proposal. Politics PA, September 9, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
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44. ^ Charles Thompson: In Pennsylvania, most teachers rejected Gov. Corbett's urging of pay freezes in face of budget cuts. PennLive, September 5, 2011, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
45. ↑ Steve Esack: Corbett signs Philly cigarette tax. The Morning Call, September 25, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
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48. ^ Reid Wilson: Pennsylvania's Corbett will drop lottery privatization plan. The Washington Post, January 2, 2014, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
49. ^ Dan Mangan: Pennsylvania to expand Medicaid under Obamacare program. CNBC, August 28, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
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52. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Welfare: Healthy PA Plan. State of Pennsylvania, archived from the original on October 25, 2014 ; accessed on October 23, 2014 (English). 
53. ↑ Gov. Tom Wolf switching PA to more traditional Medicaid expansion. The Morning Call, February 10, 2015, accessed February 15, 2015 . 
54. ↑ Janet Kelley: Governor Corbett Signs Legislation to Benefit Pennsylvania's Veterans. PR News Wire, November 12, 2012, accessed November 1, 2014 . 
55. ^ ^{A b} Office of The Governor: PA State Energy Plan. (PDF; 5.2 MB) State of Pennsylvania, January 31, 2014, accessed November 1, 2014 . 
56. ↑ Don Hopey: Corbett repeals policy on gas drilling in parks. Pittsburgh Post Gezette, February 24, 2011, accessed November 1, 2014 . 
57. ↑ The oil and gas law of the land: your guide to Act 13. National Public Radio, February 20, 2012, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
58. ↑ Dale A. Ticke: Senator Yaw's Landowner Protection Bills Approved by the Pennsylvania State Senate. Marcullus Shale, April 9, 2014; archived from the original on March 4, 2012 ; accessed on October 23, 2014 (English). 
59. ↑ Marie Cusic: Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down controversial portions of Act 13. National Public Radio, December 19, 2013, accessed on 23 October 2014 (English). 
60. ↑ Kathie Colanerie: Corbett, Wolf talk environment, energy during first joint appearance. National Public Radio, July 11, 2014, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
61. Jump up ↑ Governor Wolf Signs Executive Order Reinstating Moratorium On New Leases For Oil and Gas Development In State Parks and Forests. Office of the Governor, January 29, 2015, accessed February 15, 2015 . 
62. ^ Adam Garber: New report card gives governor “F” for environmental record. Penn Environment, October 10, 2013, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
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64. ^ The Associated Press: Tom Corbett signs $ 2.3 billion Pa. transportation bill. Politico, November 26, 2013, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
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67. ^ ^{A b} Robert J. Wickers: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett under fire for defending bill that requires ultrasound before an abortion. PennLive, March 15, 2012, accessed February 15, 2015 . 
68. ↑ Thomas Fitzgerald: Corbett denies support for ultrasound bill. Philly.com, October 22, 2014, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
69. ^ V. Waltz: Gov. Corbett apologizes after equating gay marriage to incest. Fox43, October 5, 2013, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
70. ↑ Governor Corbett Apologizes After Comments About Same-Sex Marriage. CBS News, May 14, 2014, accessed October 24, 2014 . 
71. ↑ Greg Bothelo: Federal judge rules same-sex marriage ban in Pennsylvania is unconstitutional. CNN, May 21, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
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73. ^ Pennsylvania before medical marijuana legalization. Wall Street Online, September 8, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
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75. ^ Keegan Gibson: Corbett, GOP Cool on New Gun Laws; Dems Push Ahead. Politics PA, December 19, 2012, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
76. ↑ Tony Romeo: Corbett: Reaction To Sandy Hook Shooting Should Focus On Mental Illness. CBS-News, December 21, 2012, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
77. ↑ Amy Worden: NRA-backed bill clears Pa. Legislature; Corbett indicates he'll sign it. The Morning Call, October 21, 2014, accessed October 24, 2014 . 
78. ^ Marc Levy: Corbett, Wolf disagree over municipal gun-law bill. Washington Times, October 21, 2014, accessed October 24, 2014 . 
79. ^ Corbett Signs Execution Warrants for Two Bucks Criminals. Newtown Patch, January 14, 2015, accessed February 15, 2015 . 
80. ^ Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf Says Death Penalty Flawed, Imposes Moratorium. CBS News, February 13, 2015, accessed February 15, 2015 . 
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82. ^ Tony Romeo: Governor Corbett Signs Controversial Voter ID Bill Into Law. CBS News, March 15, 2012, accessed October 23, 2014 . 
83. ^ Office of the Governor: Governor Corbett Issues Statement on Recent Commonwealth Court Ruling on Voter ID. State of Pennsylvania, May 8, 2014, archived from the original on December 28, 2014 ; accessed on October 23, 2014 (English). 
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85. ↑ Peter Jackson: Corbett's GOP foe Bob Guzzardi ordered off Pa. primary ballot. Daily Times, May 1, 2014, accessed October 17, 2014 . 
86. ^ ^{A b} The Associated Press: Where Tom Wolf and Tom Corbett stand on the issues. York Dispatch, May 14, 2014; Archived from the original on October 31, 2014 ; accessed on November 1, 2014 (English). 
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This version was added to the list of articles worth reading on November 19, 2014 .