PLUMCREEK — Tom Corbett fielded questions for 45 minutes about jobs, the economy, state spending, taxes, energy and health care reform as a Republican candidate for governor during a town hall meeting held by the Indiana-Armstrong Patriots group Wednesday afternoon at the Smith Complex.
Then the state's attorney general took a few minutes to tell the 60 people attending why he was the best choice to be the next governor.
"Prosecutors are leaders and executives," said Corbett. "We have to make the tough decisions. I've also been in the corporate sector and I understand how business works.
"People want somebody who's going to deal with the budget crisis we have in the state," he said. "They want somebody who is going to lead the way in reducing the budget and reducing the taxes that allow businesses to grow. I think it is very important to have that executive who is willing to do the tough job."
Corbett told the group his motto is, "Do your job. Do what you promised."
"My goal has always been public service," he said. "Every decision I make will be for the best interest of the people of Pennsylvania. Not to get re-elected." Corbett said he didn't care if he were governor for only one term.
The candidates for governor include Corbett and state Rep. Sam Rohrer vieing for the Republican nomination in the May primary. Democrats running for their party's nomination for governor are Montgomery County commissioner and former U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato, state auditor general Jack Wagner and state Sen. Anthony Williams.
Corbett was the only candidate for governor who responded to the Indiana-Armstrong Patriots invitation, according to the group's secretary Pat Leach. She said Rohrer could not schedule an appearance and the Democratic candidates did not respond.
The first participant commented about Corbett's stance on the heath care issue rather than ask a question. Corbett participated with other attorneys general from around the country in filing a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the recently passed national health care bill.
"It's great that you filed a lawsuit against this unconstitutional (health care) (law)," the person said.
"It's not political. It's not about health care," said Corbett. "It's about the Constitution. It's about if government can tell you what to buy."
A question about tort reform followed that.
"If we get it (tort reform) it will bring down the cost of health care," said Corbett. "The governor (Ed Rendell) vetoed it (tort reform bill). I would sign it."
He was asked what was the best way for the United States and what would be Pennsylvania's role for achieving energy independence.
"We can be an exporter of energy," Corbett said, giving examples of the state's and this region's Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits, coal, oil and timber. "We need to develop those industries and create jobs and revenues without imposing new taxes or over regulating."
"We're seeing DEP clamp down on gas companies," he added. "It could scare them away."
Another participant asked, "Is it possible to balance the state budget without a tax increase?"
"No new taxes," he said. "We will have to do that."
Corbett said he advocates a zero-based budget for state agencies.
"Justify your existence," Corbett said of how he would base the state budget.
There was a question about creating jobs: "In Armstrong County we're kind of a poverty county. Can you do anything about jobs?"
"The state doesn't make jobs," Corbett said.
He referenced fiscal discipline, limited government and free enterprise as the means to private industry creating jobs.
"Companies will want to be here, if you do that," Corbett said. "The governor wants to increase the budget another billion dollars."
"We have to cut it," he said.
