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The Marcellus Shale Law (House Bill 1950) also contains a provision that allows doctors in Pennsylvania access to the list of [[Hydraulic_fracturing#Chemicals|chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluid]] in emergency situations only, but forbids them from discussing this information with their patients.<ref name="PA Dr access bill">{{cite web|url=http://motherjones.com/environment/2012/03/fracking-doctors-gag-pennsylvania |title=For Pennsylvania's Doctors, a Gag Order on Fracking Chemicals. A new provision could forbid the state’s doctors from sharing information with patients exposed to toxic fracking solutions. |work=Mother Jones |author=Sheppard, Kate |date=23 March 2012 |accessdate=23 March 2012}}</ref> The information can only be used for emergency medical treatment, and the doctor must immediately verbally agree to keep the information confidential and later sign a document to that effect.<ref name="PA House bill 1950">[http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1950&pn=3048 Pennsylvania House bill 1950] </ref> The bill also reduces the legal responsibility of vendors, service providers, and operators regarding the identity and impact of contents of the hydraulic fracturing fluid they use.<ref name="PA House bill 1950" />
The Marcellus Shale Law (House Bill 1950) also contains a provision that allows doctors in Pennsylvania access to the list of [[Hydraulic_fracturing#Chemicals|chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluid]] in emergency situations only, but forbids them from discussing this information with their patients.<ref name="PA Dr access bill">{{cite web|url=http://motherjones.com/environment/2012/03/fracking-doctors-gag-pennsylvania |title=For Pennsylvania's Doctors, a Gag Order on Fracking Chemicals. A new provision could forbid the state’s doctors from sharing information with patients exposed to toxic fracking solutions. |work=Mother Jones |author=Sheppard, Kate |date=23 March 2012 |accessdate=23 March 2012}}</ref> The information can only be used for emergency medical treatment, and the doctor must immediately verbally agree to keep the information confidential and later sign a document to that effect.<ref name="PA House bill 1950">[http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1950&pn=3048 Pennsylvania House bill 1950] </ref> The bill also reduces the legal responsibility of vendors, service providers, and operators regarding the identity and impact of contents of the hydraulic fracturing fluid they use.<ref name="PA House bill 1950" />

====Abortion - Fetal Ultrasounds====
In March 2012, Corbett was asked about a state bill that would require women seeking abortions to undergo a mandatory fetal ultrasound. The governor said he would support the bill as long as it wasn’t "obtrusive." Contrasting the Pennsylvania Bill with legislative initiatives to require more intrusive examinations and involvement by the pregnant woman, Corbett noted, "I’m not making anybody watch, OK? Because you just have to close your eyes. As long as it’s on the exterior and not the interior."<ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tom-corbett-abortion-ultrasound-20120316,0,4667785.story</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==

Revision as of 20:22, 15 August 2012

This article is about the US politician. For the fictional character, see Tom Corbett, Space Cadet. For the Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire and Governor of Tasmania, see Thomas Godfrey Polson Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan.
Tom Corbett
46th Governor of Pennsylvania
Assumed office
January 18, 2011
LieutenantJim Cawley
Preceded byEd Rendell
46th Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office
January 18, 2005[1] – January 18, 2011
Preceded byJerry Pappert
Succeeded byWilliam Ryan (Acting)
In office
October 3, 1995 – January 22, 1997
Preceded byErnie Preate
Succeeded byMike Fisher
United States Attorney for the
Western District of Pennsylvania
In office
November 30, 1989 – May 1, 1993
Nominated byGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byCharles Sheehy (Acting)
Succeeded byFrederick Thieman
Personal details
Born (1949-06-17) June 17, 1949 (age 74)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseSusan Manbeck
Residence(s)Shaler Township (Private)
Governor's Residence (Official)
Alma materLebanon Valley College
St. Mary's University, Texas
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Branch/servicePANGl Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Years of service1971–1984
Rank Captain
Unit28th Infantry Division

Thomas W. "Tom" Corbett (born June 17, 1949) is an American politician who has been the 46th Governor of Pennsylvania since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Corbett was the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 1997; he was appointed by Governor Tom Ridge to fill the unexpired term of Ernie Preate following Preate's indictment. Subsequently he was elected as Attorney General in 2004; he served as Attorney General from 2005 to 2011, winning re-election in 2008.[2]

Early life, education, and early career

Corbett received his Bachelor's degree at Lebanon Valley College and was employed as a 9th grade teacher for one year.[3] Corbett then earned his J.D. from St. Mary's University Law School. He served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 28th Infantry Division from 1971 to 1984, rising to the rank of Captain.

Corbett's career has been split between private practice and civil service. He began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Pittsburgh's Allegheny County. After three and a half years, he was hired in 1980 as assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

In 1983, Corbett went into private practice for several years. During this period, Corbett won his first election as a township commissioner in the Pittsburgh suburb of Shaler Township.

In 1988, a judge appointed him to monitor the Allegheny County jail while it was under the court's supervision. In 1989, Senators John Heinz and Arlen Specter recommended to President Bush that he nominate Corbett for the post of United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.[4][5] Corbett served in the post until May 1993, when he was dismissed by President Bill Clinton.[6]

Corbett then returned to private practice, also serving as an adviser to the gubernatorial campaign of Tom Ridge. Following Ridge's victory, Corbett served on a number of state commissions including the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which he served as chairman.

Corbett left office in 1997 and again went into the private sector, first as general counsel for Waste Management, Inc., then opening his own practice.

Attorney General

1995 appointment

In 1995, Corbett was appointed to the position of State Attorney General by Governor Ridge to fill the remainder of the term left by the conviction of Ernie Preate.[7] As a condition of his Senate confirmation, Senate Democrats required him to pledge that he would not run for re-election in 1996. This is a common practice in Pennsylvania for appointments to elected offices. Jerry Pappert made the same pledge in 2003 when he succeeded Mike Fisher as State Attorney General.

2004 election

Main article: Pennsylvania Attorney General election, 2004

The race began with Corbett, Montgomery County district attorney Bruce Castor, and Joe Peters fighting for the Republican party endorsement. With Corbett from western Pennsylvania, Castor from the southeast, and Peters from the northeast, it was initially expected that endorsement votes would follow geographic lines. However, four of the five southeastern county chairmen came out in support of Corbett with Castor taking only Montgomery County.

Furious that he had lost party endorsements, Castor lashed out at the county chairman with accusations of backroom deals with Bob Asher, the state's national GOP committeeman and a convicted felon connected to Budd Dwyer. During the campaign, Castor launched attack ads against Corbett for his prior employment at Waste Management Inc, and the financial support he received from Asher. Corbett's campaign responded with advertisements critical of Castor's acceptance of $625,000 in contributions from Drew Lewis after Lewis was convicted of DUI but permitted to serve his sentence at an upscale rehab facility in New England.

Corbett held on to large majorities in Western Pennsylvania including 82% in his base of Allegheny County,[8] while Castor prevailed in the Southeast with almost a similar margin. Ultimately, Corbett won the race with 52.8% of the vote.[9] Castor subsequently announced his support of Corbett in the general election against Democrat Jim Eisenhower.

The General election was not as contentious as it was close. After early returns were reported, the Associated Press called the race in Eisenhower's favor, only to retract that call later as the numbers closed. Corbett declared victory the following morning, having defeated Eisenhower by nearly 110,000 votes, winning 50.4% to 48.3%. Green party candidate Marakay Rogers captured 1.3% of the vote.[10]

General Election Results, 2004
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Corbett 2,730,718 50.4
Democratic Jim Eisenhower 2,621,927 48.3
Green Marakay J. Rogers 70,624 1.3

2008 election

Main article: Pennsylvania Attorney General election, 2008

Corbett was re-elected in 2008. He won with the largest vote total of any Republican in the state's history.[3] He defeated Democrat John Morganelli, bucking the trend of Democratic success in Pennsylvania that year.

General Election Results, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Corbett 3,002,927 52.36
Democratic John Morganelli 2,619,791 45.84
Libertarian Marakay J. Rogers 109,856 1.89

Healthcare reform

Main article: Florida et al v. United States Department of Health and Human Services

On March 23, 2010, Corbett, along with 13 other state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the mandates in the just-signed federal Healthcare Bill, claiming it is unconstitutional. As of January 2011, a total of 27 states have joined this lawsuit.[11]

Penn State child sex abuse scandal

Main article: Penn State child sex abuse scandal

Corbett convened a grand jury in 2009 to investigate longstanding allegations of child sexual abuse by Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.[12] The grand jury uncovered evidence of criminal misconduct, and a 40-count indictment against Sandusky was issued in 2011, ultimately leading to Sandusky's criminal conviction in 2012. Corbett has been criticized for the three year time span between the grand jury investigation and Sandusky's indictment, and for his gubernatorial staff approving a $3 million grant to Sandusky's Second Mile charity for children, which, according to the grand jury findings, served as a repository for potential sex-abuse victims.[13] Former FBI Director Louis Freeh's report on the Penn State scandal did not fault Corbett's handling of the Sandusky case.[14]

Governor of Pennsylvania

2010 election

Main article: Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2010

On March 17, 2009, it was reported that Corbett had formed an exploratory committee and had begun filing the paperwork necessary to begin a run for Governor of Pennsylvania. On September 15, 2009, Corbett formally declared his candidacy[15] and, on May 18, 2010, won the GOP primary with nearly 70% of the vote.[16]

In May 2010 Corbett filed a criminal subpoena against twitter ordering them to divulge "any and all subscriber information" of the person(s) behind two accounts that were criticizing the Republican candidate.[17] Corbett's office denied that the subpoenas were related to the criticism, but rather to an ongoing grand jury investigation. Corbett's office ultimately withdrew the subpoenas. One of the account owners declined to say whether he was indeed the subject of a grand jury investigation.[18]

In July 2010, Corbett garnered attention for suggesting that some of the unemployed are exploiting the extension of unemployment benefits prior to seeking employment, and later noting the prevalence of "help wanted" ads in the newspapers as evidence of the availability of employment.[19][20]

In September 2010, at the first gubernatorial debate, Corbett again gained attention for seemingly violating his "no-tax pledge" in suggesting that he would consider raising the payroll contribution tax.[21]

On November 2, 2010, Corbett was elected governor of Pennsylvania, succeeding Democrat Ed Rendell. Corbett assumed the office of governor on January 18, 2011, at 12:29 PM.

Tenure

Budget

Corbett became governor on January 18, 2011. One of his first actions was the proposal of a new state budget that would decrease spending by 3%. The proposed budget received significant criticism due to its cuts in state-supported higher education by 50%. Under the new budget, funding granted to the 14 universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and state-related universities Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple, and Lincoln would be cut in half, totaling $625 million. Corbett has said, however, that he will not attempt to limit collective bargaining, as have Republican Governors John Kasich of Ohio and Scott Walker of Wisconsin.[22]

Natural gas

As governor, Corbett maintains that Pennsylvania should not tax the natural gas industry.[23][24] In February 2011, Corbett repealed a four month old policy regulating natural gas drilling (including hydraulic fracturing) in park land, deeming it "unnecessary and redundant" according to a spokesperson. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party called the repeal a "payoff" to oil and gas interests which donated a million dollars to Corbett's campaign.[25] According to Corbett, "had they not given me a dime, I would still be in this position, saying we need to grow jobs in Pennsylvania".[26]

On February 14, 2012, Corbett signed The Marcellus Shale Law (House Bill 1950).[27] The law changes the zoning laws applicable to Marcellus Shale well drilling, which is more commonly known as hydraulic fracturing. Some of its provisions are that all municipalities must allow Marcellus Shale well drilling in all zoning districts, including residential and municipalities may not limit hours of operation. Water and wastewater pits must also be allowed in all zoning districts, including residential. Compressor stations must be allowed in industrial and agricultural zoning districts and towns may not limit hours of operation. Gas processing plants are allowed in industrial zoning districts and hours of operation cannot be limited. Gas pipelines must be allowed in all zoning districts, including residential.[27] The law helps gain access to land for new pipelines,[28] one of which will transport natural gas from Pennsylvania to export terminals in Maryland,[29][30] [31][32] from which it will be shipped to Europe and Asia.[33][34] Others contend that the pipeline's purpose is to transport the gas to Maryland and D.C. markets.[35][29] There are also concerns that exporting natural gas will result in more jobs going overseas, leading to increased unemployment in Pennsylvania and other states as gas prices rise globally.[36]

The Marcellus Shale Law (House Bill 1950) also contains a provision that allows doctors in Pennsylvania access to the list of chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluid in emergency situations only, but forbids them from discussing this information with their patients.[37] The information can only be used for emergency medical treatment, and the doctor must immediately verbally agree to keep the information confidential and later sign a document to that effect.[38] The bill also reduces the legal responsibility of vendors, service providers, and operators regarding the identity and impact of contents of the hydraulic fracturing fluid they use.[38]

Personal life

Corbett is married; he and his wife Susan have two children, Tom and Katherine. Tom is an interactive gaming producer and Katherine is a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney's office.[39]

References

  1. ^ Romeo, Tony (January 18, 2011). "Corbett To Take Oath Of Office In Pennsylvania". CBS Philly. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  2. ^ "Corbett comes from behind to win in AG race". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  3. ^ a b O'Toole, James (September 15, 2009). "Corbett announces he will run for governor in 2010". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  4. ^ Guydon, Lynda (December 1, 1989). "New U.S. attorney takes office on interim basis". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  5. ^ "THIEMAN FAVORED FOR U.S. ATTORNEY AMBROSE, LANCASTER, DEL SOLE SUGGESTED FOR U.S. COURT SEATS". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 27, 1993. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  6. ^ CORBETT CONFIRMED AS PA. ATTORNEY GENERAL, The Morning Call, October 3, 1995
  7. ^ "2004 Primary Election Results, Allegheny County Department of Elections". Alleghenycounty.us. April 27, 2004. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  8. ^ 2004 Primary Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 4/27/04[dead link]
  9. ^ Roddy, Dennis B. (April 28, 2004). "Corbett, Eisenhower win in attorney general race". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  10. ^ Panchuk, Kerri (May 14, 2010). "Seven states join Texas in health care fight". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  11. ^ Becker, Jo (November 10, 2011). "Abuse Inquiry Set Tricky Path for a Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  12. ^ Bissinger, Buzz (November 21, 2011). "Penn State's New Villain: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  13. ^ Storm, Jennifer (July 18, 2012). "Corbett got the Jerry Sandusky case right". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  14. ^ O'Toole, James (September 15, 2009). "Corbett announces he will run for governor in 2010". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  15. ^ Benenson, Bob. Pennsylvania Governor: Corbett vs. Onorato. CQ Politics. May 18, 2010.
  16. ^ Corbett subpoenas Twitter for critics' names. The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 20, 2010. Retrieved on November 9, 2010.
  17. ^ "Tom Corbett Squashes (sic) Subpoena For Twitter Critics' IDs". WTAE. May 19, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  18. ^ Panaritis, Maria. (July 10, 2010) Corbett says some would rather get unemployment checks than work. The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 10, 2010. Retrieved on November 9, 2010.
  19. ^ Panaritis, Maria. (July 28, 2010) Corbett dips a toe in old controversy. The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 28, 2010. Retrieved on November 9, 2010.
  20. ^ Panaritis, Maria. (October 2, 2010) Democrats pounce on Corbett's jobless-fund comments. The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 2, 2010. Retrieved on November 9, 2010.
  21. ^ Mauriello, Tracie; Olson, Laura (March 8, 2011). "Corbett swings budget ax at schools, colleges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  22. ^ Levy, Marc (March 29, 2011). "Corbett defends education cuts, stance against taxing gas drilling". Republican Herald. Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  23. ^ Krawczeniuk, Borys (March 18, 2011). "Corbett: Natural gas tax could hurt Pa". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  24. ^ Hopey, Don (February 24, 2011). "Corbett repeals policy on gas drilling in parks". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  25. ^ "Corbett refuses to budge on gas tax policy". The Times Leader. April 19, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  26. ^ a b Associated Press (03 March 2012). "Local zoning provisions in Pa.'s gas drilling law". USA Today. Retrieved 23 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "Frontpage" ignored (help); Text "newswell" ignored (help); Text "s" ignored (help); Text "text" ignored (help)
  27. ^ Prezioso, Jeanine (28 July 2011). "Analysis: U.S. shale gas sector girds for next battle: pipeline". Reuters. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  28. ^ a b Crable, Ad (11 March 2012). "Plans for natural gas pipelines include Lancaster County: Companies drilling in Pennsylvania need better distribution network". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  29. ^ Brune, Michael (05 March 2012). "Don't export LNG in Maryland. Proposed Cove Point facility would set back the state's efforts to make environmental progress". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 26 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "LNG Exports Dominion Receives DOE Authorization to Export LNG". Dominion. October 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  31. ^ Gies, Erica (24 February 2012). "Push to Export Natural Gas Could Threaten U.S. Energy Security". Green Tech. Forbes. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  32. ^ Kemeny, Matthew (09 October 2011). "Virginia firm wants to export Marcellus Shale's gas". Patriot news. Patriot News/PennLive. Retrieved 26 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Rascoe, Ayesha (7 February). "Sierra Club opposes Maryland LNG export terminal". Reuters. Retrieved 5 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "$1B natural gas pipeline proposed for Pa., would connect to Baltimore, DC areas". Associate Press. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  35. ^ Domm, Patti (07 March 2012). "Will the US Export Natural Gas?". CNBC. Retrieved 25 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Sheppard, Kate (23 March 2012). "For Pennsylvania's Doctors, a Gag Order on Fracking Chemicals. A new provision could forbid the state's doctors from sharing information with patients exposed to toxic fracking solutions". Mother Jones. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  37. ^ a b Pennsylvania House bill 1950
  38. ^ "Governor Tom Corbett". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved November 13, 2011.

External links

Legal offices
Preceded by
Charles Sheehy
Acting
 United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania
1989–1993 		Succeeded by
Frederick Thieman
Preceded by Attorney General of Pennsylvania
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Attorney General of Pennsylvania
2005–2011 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
2004, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania
2010 		Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Pennsylvania
2011–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Vice President Order of Precedence of the United States
Within Pennsylvania 		Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
Preceded byas Governor of Delaware Order of Precedence of the United States
Outside Pennsylvania 		Succeeded byas Governor of New Jersey

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