The York Dispatch: Tom Corbett tours the Perform Group factory

The Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett told employees of a local business on Tuesday that cutting taxes and reducing the size of state government would be among his goals if elected governor.

Corbett stopped at Perform Group LLC in Lower Windsor Township and toured the apparel maker before speaking to employees. He is making stops across the state after officially announcing his bid for governor last week.

The Republican attorney general, who was re-elected last year, characterized himself as an agent of change who is ready to make tough decisions to move the state forward.

"I would like to see government get a little smaller," he told employees packed into a standing-room-only cafeteria. "We can't be all things to all people."

Corbett, 60, was greeted by signs promoting his candidacy both outside the building and inside the cafeteria.

Perform Group LLC, formerly called Tighe Industries Inc., employs about 400 people and primarily sells dance and gymnastics apparel, said John Wayne Miser, chief operations officer. It produces anywhere from 750,000 to 1 million outfits per year.

Its apparel has been worn in the Olympics, Orange Bowl and Super Bowl halftime shows and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"Wrong track": Corbett said he thinks the state is "going down the wrong track." He promoted fiscal restraint and said taxes on both businesses and individuals are too high.

He said too much spending has the state overburdened with debt.

Instead of going through a budget process each year, Corbett said he wants the state constitution amended so that each budget would cover two years.

That would save money and provide peace of mind to local governments and school districts who each year don't know how much state funding they'll get until after a new budget is put in place, he said.

Corbett is part of a crowded field looking to replace Gov. Ed Rendell, who cannot run again after the end of his second term in office.

The primary is eight months away.

Republican candidates so far include Corbett and U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Chester County.

Democrats include Joe Hoeffel, a Montgomery County commissioner; Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato; Auditor General Jack Wagner; Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox; and Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty.