Tom Wolf, Gov. Ed Rendell’s secretary of revenue, resigned today. While that may be a yawner at first impression, see this from the Associated Press:
Wolf, however, would not elaborate on his plans during a Capitol news conference with Gov. Ed Rendell. He sidestepped a question about whether he was running for governor.
“I’ve made a decision, and the reason I’m leaving now is because I want to pursue another option in public service, but I’m not going to announce it today,” Wolf said.
What’s curious is the timing of Wolf’s departure. The Rendell administration is beginning to put together its budget proposal, which will be officially unveiled in February. Wolf says he wants to pursue a yet-to-be-named public service job, but what greater public service job could he have than helping the governor and Legislature put together a $30 billion budget in the midst of an economic whirlpool? By at least one projection, the state is facing a $3 billion shortfall, and revenue has steadily fallen. As of the end of October, state revenue is $565 million behind what’s needed because of a drop in equity from state investments and a $30 million drop in sales tax receipts, which means Pennsylvanians aren’t buying as much stuff as the state needs them to.
If you’re thinking of vying for a move into the governor’s mansion, you’d probably want to avoid sticky, volatile budget negotiations like the kind potentially building between Rendell and the Senate GOP. So leaving now may be a good thing for Wolf. It just looks, given the budget circumstances, kinda sorta like you’re running away from the problems you’re going to need to solve as governor.
Wolf also doesn’t have the name recognition other rumored contenders have like state Attorney General Tom Corbett and recently retired U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan, both Republicans. On the Democratic side a few county executives from opposite ends of the state are on the potential contenders list as well as Senate Minority Leader Bob Mellow.
Honestly, on the Democratic side, is there anyone out there that generates a whole lot of excitement as a potential successor to the Rendell era?
