Corbett blasts Rendell’s special projects

Republican Tom Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign is criticizing Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell for signing a $300 million bond measure into law.

As part of the budget compromise, Governor Rendell and lawmakers agreed to raise Pennsylvania’s debt ceiling by $600 million.

The governor is directing half of those funds to pet projects, and the General Assembly will distribute the remaining grants later this year.

Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says the bond measures are irresponsible.

“Now’s not the time to be borrowing more money to fund projects, regardless of their worth,” he says. “Fiscal discipline needs to be the order of the day, not continuing borrowing and spending and taxing.”

Corbett’s opponent, Democrat Dan Onorato, says the Attorney General is playing to both sides of the aisle, when it comes to bond issues.

Onorato’s campaign points out a Corbett policy paper that supports “the prudent use of debt” to fund infrastructure projects. But in a Commonwealth Foundation candidate questionnaire, Corbett agreed the state shouldn’t take on any new debt.