Pa. Gov. Corbett: I'm Not a Heartless 'Tinman'

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett says he’s not waging war on poor people — or women for that matter — and really did work hard on his recent trade mission to Europe.

Corbett, a Republican, used his monthly radio time Wednesday not only to discuss current affairs, but also to do damage control following a month of controversy, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

 

Among the first things Corbett wanted to clear up: “Everyone who knows me knows that I have a heart.”

 

He was referring to recent newspaper article depicting him as the heartless “Tinman” in “The Wizard of Oz” because 89,000 children were dropped from state Medicaid rolls between August and January, according to the Inquirer.

 

Corbett, noting the state’s serious budget problems, reiterated his view that citizens and businesses should not be asked to fill state spending gaps through new or higher taxes.

 

In addition, he also told his radio listeners it’s his job to spend taxpayer money wisely, which means making sure that only those who are eligible receive state Medicaid benefits.

 

The governor also addressed the politics of motherhood by denying that his administration is   waging war on women through its policies. Still, he acknowledged his support for a Republican-sponsored state House bill that would require women to get an ultrasound before undergoing an abortion.