Tom Corbett in 2014 Pennsylvania Governor's race

On Corporations: Give up on privatizing state lottery program

Gov. Tom Corbett said he won't pursue a controversial plan to privatize the Keystone State's lottery program. Corbett had been pursuing a deal that would have handed the state lottery over to Camelot Global Services, a British firm, in exchange for $34 billion over 20 years. Camelot was the only bidder for the project.

But lawmakers, unions and watchdog groups criticized the deal. The state's Attorney General said last year the plan violated the Commonwealth's constitution, and a union that represents lottery workers has filed a lawsuit to stop the deal.

The Pennsylvania lottery, which funds programs for the elderly, generated almost $3.7 billion in sales last year. The proposed contract would have seen Camelot making annual payments, even if revenue fell short of a set limit. Corbett made the case that signing the deal would have led to a reliable, predictable revenue stream. But public watchdogs said that doesn't justify outsourcing profits to a private company.

Source: Washington Post on 2014 Pennsylvania governor race Jan 2, 2014

On Civil Rights: OpEd: Corbett knew federal LGBT laws; OK to change mind

I don't want to call Gov. Tom Corbett a liar. So let's just say that he strained credulity with his explanation for why he suddenly came out in favor of an anti-discrimination law to protect gays and lesbians. Corbett, who has previously staked out conservative positions on social issues, said he was "coming out in support" of the bill after learning that federal law does not cover discrimination.

Corbett, remember, was Pennsylvania's attorney general. Twice. The attorney general's job is to be the chief law enforcement officer in the state. That means a general understanding of federal law, because sometimes state & federal laws overlap; sometimes they don't. And during Corbett's time as attorney general, there were two major pieces of federal legislation in force regarding gay rights: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act.

It would be nice if a politician more often just told us: "I changed my mind." A willingness to bend to new evidence might be a bold show of leadership.

Source: Philadephia Magazine AdWatch 2014 Pennsylvania Governor race Dec 20, 2013

On Civil Rights: Supports anti-LGBT-discrimination bill, but not gay marriage

For more than a decade, bills that would make it illegal to discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgender citizens in the workplace, housing and other aspects of Pennsylvania society have languished in the Legislature. But the most recent adaptation of the bipartisan anti-discrimination bills got a boost of support from a seemingly unlikely conservative source: Gov. Tom Corbett.

"If that bill comes to my desk, I'll sign it," Corbett said; he decided to support the bills after recently learning federal laws do not protect Pennsylvania's LGBT community from discrimination. "In the last few months in discussions it was made clear to me the federal law did not cover them," said Corbett.

"It doesn't change my position on the issue of marriage or Pennsylvania's law on that," Corbett said. "But when it comes to discrimination in the workplace and employment and housing and other accommodations, I don't think there should be discrimination."

Source: The Morning Call on 2014 Pennsylvania Governor race Dec 18, 2013

On Civil Rights: Apologies for comparing gay marriage to incest

The public should not be surprised by Corbett's support of the bills outlawing discrimination based on sexual preference, said a Corbett strategist. Corbett does not tolerate discrimination, said the strategist, citing how the governor forced Richard Allen out of his role as secretary of the Conservation and Natural Resources Department for using a racial reference in an email to his wife, also a state employee. "He has never tolerated any form of discrimination or insensitivity," said the strategist.

In October, Corbett issued public apologies after comparing gay marriage to a union between brother and sister during a television interview. Now Corbett is looking for middle ground by taking a public stance in support of the bills and holding the line on the gay marriage ban, said another pundit.

Source: The Morning Call on 2014 Pennsylvania Governor race Dec 18, 2013

The above quotations are from 2014 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial debates and race coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2014 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial debates and race coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Tom Corbett. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018