A Pennsylvania progressive group is hitting Governor Tom Corbett (R. PA) hard for his budget cuts and tax giveaways for corporations:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
“It’s a shell game. Governor Tom Corbett cuts a billion dollars from education while bankrolling big tax cuts for his corporate backers,” says a narrator.
“And now, after thousands of teacher layoffs, Corbett continues to shortchange our schools. While paying for, you guessed it, another round of giveaways for his campaign donors.”
A spokesperson for the group declined to disclose its donors or the specific cost of the ad buy – neither of which is required for a 501c(4) to reveal. She said it is airing in the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Erie, Johnstown-area, and Wilkes Barre-Scranton markets.
It’s the first public action by the group, whose domain name was purchased back in October 2012.
It follows a small ad flight begun Monday by a group called Real American Values. The message of that advertisement – on air in Harrisburg this week – is nearly identical. - Politics PA, 4/10/13
Here's Real American Values attack ad:
I think the ads back up Vice's article about how much of a hardcore Tea Party Governor Corbett is:
http://www.vice.com/...
But one Tea Party governor hasn’t gotten much attention—Pennsylvania’s Tom Corbett. He’s more reserved than his counterparts, avoiding political theater and national ambitions alike. But his cuts to state services have been comparatively ideological. All of his budgets have been austere, with cuts and no new revenue sources, even though the state has experienced an explosion of natural-gas extraction. The concerned companies enjoy one of the lowest taxes on production in the nation. But while tax breaks for a variety of industries are easily attained, state services have been repeatedly slashed. - Vice, 4/8/13
Vice hits Corbett hard on all the key issues like education, Medicaid, welfare and food stamps. Give the Vice article a read:
http://www.vice.com/...
Of course Democrats will also have more ammunition to hit Corbett on in 2014, especially when it comes to privatizing the lottery, mandatory ultrasounds, rigging the Presidential election for the GOP for 2016 and his handling of Jerry Sandusky and the Penn State sex scandal while he was serving as Attorney General. Not to mention, Corbett is getting blowback from the NCAA over his lawsuit against them:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
The NCAA is seeking a hearing in its efforts to dismiss Gov. Tom Corbett's suit against the governing body of college sports over the Penn State football sanctions.
In papers filed in federal court Friday, the NCAA noted previous legal briefs rejecting Corbett's claims. But the NCAA added that in oral arguments, the association can make a convincing case to dismiss the suit.
The governor filed suit in hopes of eliminating all of the NCAA's stiff penalties on Penn State. The sanctions include a $60 million fine, a four-year ban from bowl games, and a loss of scholarships.
Corbett and his lawyers have argued that the suit is out of bounds because the NCAA is designed to enforce rules of competition such as players' eligibility. The governor also has said that the sanctions hurt Pennsylvania students and businesses that rely on money generated by Penn State football.
In its filing with U.S. Middle District Chief Judge Yvette Kane, the NCAA argues that Corbett doesn't have standing to file an antitrust suit over the Penn State sanctions. - The Patriot News, 4/5/13
By the way, Pennsylvania Democrats officially landed their first big name candidate for next year:
http://www.philly.com/...
U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz launched her campaign for the 2014 Democratic nomination for governor Monday, declaring that Gov. Corbett’s “failed leadership” has crippled the Pennsylvania economy in a competitive world.
“He’s just missing in action most of the time,” Schwartz, of Montgomery County, said in an interview. She noted that the state’s unemployment rate has been well above the national average during Corbett’s term. “What I’m hearing from people around the state is that they know we need a fresh perspective about the economy and growth.”
Schwartz, 64, argues her experience in Washington and Harrisburg makes her the strongest potential nominee to challenge Corbett. The governor’s approval rating in independent public polls is at a historic low, though Pennsylvania voters have yet to turn down an incumbent chief executive seeking a second term.
“We’ve got to do all we can to defy history,” Schwartz said. “It’s not going to be easy.” - Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/8/13
A Schwartz win would also be history making moment next year:
http://www.usatoday.com/...
If she wins the general election, Schwartz would be the first woman governor of Pennsylvania. Schwartz intends to file her paperwork for the governor's race Monday, and transfer $3 million from her congressional campaign account.
"I'm running to be governor, not the 'first woman' governor," Schwartz told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "But the fact that I am the only woman in the congressional delegation and in a senior policymaking role, means people know I can beat the odds."
The Pennsylvania governor's race is likely to be one of the most watched in 2014, in part because of the state's size and because of trends for the nation.
Corbett has drawn criticism for his handling of the state's economic woes, including his plan to privatize the state lottery. He got low marks for his handling of the Penn State child sex-abuse scandal, which resulted in the firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno and the conviction of former defense coordinator Jerry Sandusky.- USA Today, 4/8/13
Schwartz plans on making this race about Pennsylvania's economy and her staunch support for women's reproductive rights have earned her a strong endorsement from EMILY's List:
http://tv.msnbc.com/...
“I am running because I can’t sit on the sidelines when I have a proven track record of getting results on the issues that matter — growing jobs in the private sector, investing in education, and making the tough choices on budget issues,” Schwartz said in a statement. “That’s what our campaign will be about.”
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate has been higher than the national average since September; in February it hovered at 8.1 %. According to a Franklin and Marshall poll that came out last month, Corbett’s approval numbers were the lowest scored in the history of the poll.
EMILY’s List, a progressive group that supports pro-choice women candidates has worked with Schwartz since her days in the Pennsylvania State Senate and they plan to go in big against Corbett, who defended a mandatory ultra-sound bill last March by telling women they “just have to close your eyes.”
“Allyson has been part of the EMILY’s List family for over a decade and we could not be more excited about her campaign,” said the president of EMILY’s List, Stephanie Schriock. “Not only would she make history as Pennsylvania’s first female governor, she would provide a clear contrast to Gov. Corbett, who has led a crusade against women and families while putting job-creation on the back burner,” said Schriock.
The Montgomery County Democrat is known for being a leading women’s rights and pro-choice champion and twice voted against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. Schwartz herself was the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Blackwell Center for Women’s Health in Philadelphia in the 70′s and 80′s prior to being appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services. - MSNBC, 4/8/13
Schwartz has also proven to be an effective Congresswoman in getting landmark legislation pushed through Congress:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
Schwartz is an advocate of abortion rights and gun control but has a more moderate record on other issues. For example, a bill she sponsored in her first term to provide tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed veterans was passed and signed into law.
She vowed that her Pennsylvania political campaign would not interfere with her duties in Washington.
"I'm blessed with great energy and focus," she said. - The Patriot News, 4/8/13
Schwartz's resources are going to come in handy for both an expensive general election and a potentially crowded primary:
http://dailyitem.com/...
Other declared candidates include Tom Wolf, a York County businessman and former state revenue secretary who has pledged to sink at least $10 million of his own money into the primary campaign, and state government veteran John Hanger of Dauphin County.
Several others are still considering entering the race, including state Treasurer Rob McCord and former U.S. Senate nominee Joe Sestak. - The Daily Item, 4/8/13
I love Sestak and I really like McCord but here's my argument for why Schwartz is the best choice for Governor:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I for one am looking to make history next year. Corbett is the most corrupt Governor in Pennsylvania electoral history and is a foot soldier for the Koch Brothers and I for one would love to make him the first one term Governor since 1968. In 2012, Pennsylvania made history by electing not only the first Democrat to the Attorney General's office but also the first female in Kathleen Kane. Check out this great diary from BKGyptian89 on how Kane has been making life miserable for Corbett:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
By the way, received my first campaign e-mail from Schwartz earlier this week:
As an important supporter of mine, I wanted you to be one of the first to know that, earlier today, I announced that:
I am running for Governor of Pennsylvania!
http://www.allysonschwartz.com/...
I am ready to put my skills, experience, energy and determination to work for Pennsylvania and to be the strong and effective leader that Pennsylvanians deserve!
This will be a long, challenging, and exciting campaign. And, I will need your support from the start. I hope you are all in with me and will get involved right now. Here is how you can help today:
Contribute to my campaign for Governor: Pennsylvania for Allyson
https://services.myngp.com/...
Join the campaign on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/...
Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/...
There will be more news as we continue to gear up and we will do all we can to stay in touch with you along the way.
Thank you for your support and for being with me from the very start!
Allyson
If you'd like to get involved with the Schwartz campaign, you can do so here:
http://www.allysonschwartz.com/...