The LuLac Edition #1447, Jan. 24th, 2011

PHOTO INDEX: GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT.

OPEN HOUSE

Governor Tom Corbett hosted an open house at the Governor’s 30 room Mansion this past weekend. Hundreds made the trek in the cold to meet and greet the new Governor and presumably tour what we’re all paying for. That said, I have no problem with the top official in the state having an official residence. The mansion is a splendid showpiece. While Governor Ed was an avowed Eagles fan, Corbett loves those Steelers and there was a big banner touting his team. The tour was over before 6pm so the new Guv could view his team on TV. Unlike the last Governor, Corbett did not take to the airwaves shortly after the contest to pontificate.

CORBETT’S PLAN

Gov. Tom Corbett says he plans to issue a plan this week aimed at fulfilling a campaign promise for changes in the way government does business.
Corbett told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in an interview that the effort will be an ongoing dialogue with legislative leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers.
One proposal would eliminate or reduce “walking-around money,” the nickname for a secretive process controlled by legislative leaders that funnels tens of millions of dollars a year in state grants to legislators’ pet programs in their home districts.
Another proposal would pare down the $188 million legislative surplus and require documentation for $157 legislative per diem payments that lawmakers can collect for overnight stays in the state capital. Other proposals would require House members to contribute toward their health care costs, as senators do, and create a user-friendly online database so taxpayers can search for state spending. Corbett said he has other changes in mind for employees under his own jurisdiction, but declined to discuss them. And he cited with approval legislative proposals for a spending database and a two-year state budget. During the governor’s race, Corbett vowed in a television ad to send lawmakers a plan on “day one” if elected, which prompted critics to accuse him of breaking a campaign promise. Corbett said substantive change requires working with lawmakers, since only they can introduce legislation and expenses are governed by House and Senate rules.
The surplus and “walking around money” will be taken up during budget talks with leaders, Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley said. The House is advancing a plan to eliminate state fleet cars, require documentation for per diems, and demand a health care contribution from members, and both bodies say they want to pursue the database plan. GOP House spokesman Stephen Miskin said lawmakers had been meeting with Corbett’s staff, and accusing the governor of inaction was “absurd.”
Mike Tyson used to say that “Everybody has a plan until they get hit”. The very fact that people are already criticizing Corbett for not getting to this on Day 1 tells me that people are training their eyes on any elected official who uttered any type of promise last campaign season.

49 YEARS!

A gentleman named Walter PItcavage passed away over the weekend. I never knew him or met him. His obit says that Walter worked as the meat manager of Sunshine Market for 49 years of his life, until his retirement in November 2009. His employers and fellow coworkers revered him as a skilled, kindhearted, personable manager. First off the success of any business happens from its people. The now defunct Sunshine was known for the quality of its meats. Also for someone to work in one place for nearly 50 years is almost unheard of these days.

GELB IN

Attorney Lesa Gelb will announce her candidacy for judge of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas at 5:30 p.m. today in the gallery at 517 Pierce St., Kingston. Gelb has been a fixture in Democratic politics for a while serving on the State Committee for a few terms. Last September she was picked as one of the most outstanding women of NEPA by the Wilkes Barre Times Leader.

WILLIE DAVIS

It was great to see former Packer Willie Davis at the trophy ceremony Sunday night after the Packers beat the Bears to get into the Super Bowl. Davis was a Packer Hall of Famer but also a successful businessman in Wisconsin after his playing days. When I worked at Rock 107, the late Tim Durkin (who I dedicated my first book, “A Radio Story” to) scored me an personally signed photo from Davis at one of the Shamrock Communications Meetings he attended. Davis owned two Shamrock stations in Wisconsin.

JACK LALANNE

Fitness guru Jack LaLanne died at the age of 96. It was said that he exercised two hours a day up until the end. Even with all of that, we never get out of this things called life alive no matter how much we accumulate or what we do.