Pa.’s Republican leaders talk up the governor, accomplishments

After reports that the governor’s staff is being criticized by some in the GOP over poor messaging and a stalled agenda, Pennsylvania’s Republican legislators are chiming in with a defense.

 

In the past week, the Corbett administration has weathered the resignation of the governor’s chief of staff and intense speculation about top donors and advisers worried about a rocky relationship with lawmakers.

But House and Senate majority leaders say they’ve been remarkably productive.

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai is careful to make sure the credit is spread evenly between the General Assembly and the governor’s office.

“And we’ve been every week taking on, between the two chambers and then getting them onto the governor’s desk, getting things accomplished, and we’re certainly not done,” said Turzai, R-Allegheny.

Turzai points to successes such as last year’s on-time budget and this year’s passage of voter ID legislation. This year, Gov. Tom Corbett also signed a Marcellus Shale impact fee he had labeled a top priority.

Still, critics note a lack of action on funding for transportation issues and privatizing the state’s liquor stores.