New governor will face issues right away

As Gov. Tom Ridge prepares to leave for Washington on Friday to head the new Office of Homeland Security, Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker readies to face the challenges of the governor's office -- including negotiating with Philadelphia over several controversial issues.

Schweiker, who had announced earlier this year that he did not intend to run for governor in 2002, suddenly found himself thrust into the limelight when President Bush announced Ridge's appointment during a joint session of Congress on Sept. 20.

One of the most pressing issues Schweiker will face in his new office is whether or not to privatize Philadelphia's failing schools.

Penn Political Science Professor Jerome Maddox said that the lieutenant governor will have to move fast to become acquainted with the issue.

"Schweiker hasn't done anything on the school issue and one of the concerns is how long it will take him to get up to speed," Maddox said.

Schweiker has already asked Edison Schools Inc., a firm hired by Ridge to determine solutions for the debt-ridden district, to hold off on presenting its report to him. He will now receive the analysis on Oct. 29, after which he has one month to reach an agreement with Philadelphia.

If no agreement is reached, the state will assume control of the district.

But in discussing this issue with the city, Schweiker lacks a key advantage Ridge had -- a personal relationship with Mayor John Street. According to Maddox, this is something Schweiker will have to work on.

"I think that's something [Schweiker and Street will] have to build," Maddox said. "Mayor Street has tried to build a relationship with the governor."

Both the Street administration and Schweiker have expressed a desire to build upon the close ties Street formed with Ridge. Ron Ruman, Schweiker's spokesman, said the lieutenant governor had heard from Street as soon as Bush announced Ridge's appointment.

"I know the lieutenant governor did express his gratitude that one of the first phone calls he received upon the governor's appointment was from Mayor Street," Ruman said.

And last week, Street's spokeswoman, Luz Cardenas, said that Schweiker had already had several informal conversations with the mayor, and that a formal meeting was expected soon.

"They've been very positive conversations," Cardenas said. "The new governor has restated his commitment to help the city focus in on" the school issue.

Furthermore, Street's secretary for external affairs, George Burrell, said that the mayor and the lieutenant governor have spoken with each other on many occasions during Street's tenure.

"I think the mayor and the lieutenant governor have a good relationship," Burrell said.

The Philadelphia school crisis is not the only major issue the new governor will face when he takes office on Oct. 5. According to Penn Political Science Professor Henry Teune, the state budget in a souring economy will be among Schweiker's concerns.

"The state revenues are way down," Teune said. "The economy's a mess."

And this could have a negative effect on Schweiker's relationship with Philadelphia. Maddox said that one of Philadelphia's "traditional concerns" is that it does not receive a fair portion of state funds.

Schweiker will also have to deal with Street's desire for a rate increase for Philadelphia Gas Works -- which is $1 billion in debt -- and funds for expanding the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

In September, the Pennsylvania Utility Commission approved only 60 percent of the rate hike PGW had sought.

But, as Burrell said, "the number one issue for both the lieutenant governor and the mayor is going to be education."

It is also not yet clear to what extent Schweiker's policy regarding the Philadelphia schools will deviate from what Ridge would have done.

"That's hard to say right now," Ruman said. However, he added that Schweiker "obviously respects Governor Ridge tremendously."

Maddox speculated that Schweiker would probably follow Ridge's policy.

"The probability is that [Schweiker's decision] will be a continuation of what's going on," Maddox said.

In any case, Schweiker's 15 months as governor will probably end at that. Ruman said that Schweiker has frequently stated that concern about his young family will keep him out of the political arena once his term is over.

"I think he has said very clearly that he plans to run for no office in the near future," Ruman said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.