Corbett sworn in, citing the 'pending storm' of a budget deficit

HARRISBURG - Under threatening skies, Tom Corbett took office Tuesday as Pennsylvania's 46th governor with a subdued ceremony and a speech signaling that while tough economic decisions lie ahead, a new tenor in state government had arrived.

Corbett, a Republican from suburban Pittsburgh, invoked the principles of America's founders and promised to "chart a new course" of limited government, restored integrity, and fiscal discipline.

Against the backdrop of a snow-laced Capitol dome, Corbett, 61, with his wife, Susan, two children, and son-in-law by his side, swore his oath on a palm-size, 1698 Bible that had belonged to William Penn.

The poor weather and low-key festivities - the traditional inaugural parade was scuttled for budget reasons - likely contributed to the smaller-than-average crowd of more than 1,000 people, among them former Govs. Dick Thornburgh, Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker, and Ed Rendell.

The ceremony marked the end of eight years under Rendell, the gritty, fiery Democrat from Philadelphia, and the beginning of a new kind of administration - initially, at least, more orderly, highly programmed, and toned down.

While acknowledging the "pending storm" of a budget deficit projected at $4 billion to $5 billion, Corbett promised a new era of "civility" and stressed innovation, creativity, and courage to "advance the promise of our commonwealth."

"I have great faith that we will unleash a new common prosperity to benefit all Pennsylvanians," he said.

In a poke at what Republicans characterize as excessive spending by the Rendell administration, Corbett vowed to undo "the deadlock between the current size of government and the size our government should be."

Using words that brought to mind the inaugural message of a Democrat, President John F. Kennedy, Corbett sought to signal a shift to a more business-friendly administration.

"To those who create jobs and to those who raise our future workers: You deserve a government that will not ask more of its citizens until it asks more of itself," he said.

Earlier, at his separate swearing-in ceremony in the Senate chamber, the new lieutenant governor, Jim Cawley, promised that the administration would foster commercial growth by reining in regulations and developing a "fair, equitable, and productive legal system."

"The message they sent was that what's been done in the past isn't working," said Cawley, until recently a Bucks County commissioner. "It's not working for them, it's not working for us."