Politics & Government

Corbett Among Nation's Worst Governors: Report

A report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington slams Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett for accepting gifts from parties doing business with the state, among other things.

By Tim Zatzariny Jr.

If politics is one big circus, then Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is one of its clowns, according to a political watchdog group.

In a report released this week, titled "The Worst Governors in America," the nonpartisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ranks Corbett among America's lousiest legislators. 

Corbett is a Republican in his first term as governor. The report slams Corbett for accepting gifts from law firms, lobbyists and others with business before the state; "concealing" the awarding of a state contract to a campaign contributor; an investigation into his handling of the Penn State sexual abuse scandal while Corbett was state attorney general; and for advocating for new voter-identification restrictions. 

"Gov. Corbett has accepted thousand of dollars in gifts from executives, lobbyists, law firms and others, who, in many instances, had business before the state. In most cases, the governor received campaign contributions (from these parties) as well," according to the report, which notes that public officials in Pennsylvania can accept gifts, but not from anyone doing business regulated by the state. 

Of the 18 governors on the list, all but two are Republicans. 

The report divides its subjects into three categories: "Ringmasters," "Clowns" and "Sideshows." Corbett is ranked in the second category, along with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and three others. 

"Some governors on the list essentially turned their authority and regulatory agendas over to special interests," according to the report. "Others abused their office in return for gifts and campaign contributions. Many appointed donors to key positions and gutted transparency measures. All failed to live up to the public trust."

This is the second report on those the group deems the nation's worst governors. The first was published in 2010.


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