The next governor will face tough choices between steep budget cuts and tax hikes or both. The problems may be even worse given that Gov. Rendell has used federal stimulus funds to patch together recent budgets.
The state's pension system is a ticking time bomb, thanks to hefty increases in benefits passed by lawmakers and former Gov. Tom Ridge. The legalization of gambling backed by Rendell has been sloppy at best and is in need of more independent oversight.
So who is up for the job?
Granted, the candidates are a dull lot (although state Sen. Anthony Williams is much more freewheeling in person than he appears in his TV ads).
The weak field has made Corbett, the Republican front-runner, look even stronger, though his campaign has been untested. His plans for the looming budget troubles remain murky, though he has said he won't raise taxes.
Corbett's candidacy is built largely on money and name recognition from overseeing the so-called Bonusgate investigation of state lawmakers. On that score, he has done well. His probe has shined a harsh light on the ways of Harrisburg.
Many assume he will win in the fall because Pennsylvania has a history of alternating between Democratic and Republican governors. "It's the GOP's turn" isn't a very strong message.
Corbett's opponent in the primary is state Rep. Sam Rohrer (R., Berks), a gun-toting conservative who could get elected if only he were running in Texas.
Corbett should win the GOP nomination in a walk, but he isn't a shoo-in come November. In fact, Pennsylvania has never elected a sitting attorney general as governor. His decision to join other state attorneys general in a lawsuit to stop President Obama's health-care law could come back to haunt Corbett in the general election.
That makes the Democratic primary the one to watch.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is the front-runner. Much of what voters in the Philadelphia area know about Onorato comes from his political ads.
