The Republican Party of Pennsylvania is criticizing Tom Wolf, the Democratic candidate for governor, for a television ad that references the bipartisan transportation bill signed last year by Gov. Tom Corbett.
In the ad, Wolf says, “Corbett raised your gas taxes through the roof.”
A day before the ad was released, Wolf expressed support for the bill at an event in Erie sponsored by the Manufacturer & Business Association. He noted that the funding would fix bridges and enhance transportation infrastructure.
Wolf sounded a different tune in the ad.
“He’s attacking Governor Corbett for the very same plan on television, a plan that was also supported by Wolf’s own running mate Mike Stack,” said communications director Megan Sweeney. “Another day, another flip-flop from Wolf.”
Sweeney went on to say that, “Tom Wolf’s new position on transportation, coupled with a brazenly political attack on Gov. Corbett for improving Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges, is backfiring. Perhaps Tom Wolf should call his own running mate before launching political ads that are filled with old conjecture and short of current facts.”
Supporters of the transportation bill claim it will preserve 12,000 jobs and create 50,000 jobs. To pay for the funding, the state’s gasoline tax was raised, as were fees for driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.
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U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley are expected to attend the 30th annual Republican City Committee Billy Meehan Clambake, scheduled for Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cannstatter’s.
Tickets cost $100 and include an open bar and all-you-can-eat food.
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The Committee of 70 will sponsor An Insider’s View of Political TV Ads on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the third floor of Ladder 15, a bar/restaurant at 1528 Sansom St.
Political consultant Neil Oxman, founder of The Campaign Group, will discuss the cost and effectiveness of television campaign commercials. The cost is $10, which includes food and one free drink.
To register, go to http://committee-of-seventy.ticketleap.com/t/email/ ••
