Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Erik Arneson
There are perks when you win an election.
One is that you get to put people you want in government jobs.
Sometimes though – as Governor Tom Wolf discovered –
It doesn't work that way.
With just days left in his term –
Governor Tom Corbett made a number of appointments –
Including the head of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Erik Arneson got the six-year executive director's job.
He's a long-time Republican Senate staffer –
And was chief author of the bill that created the office.
Wolf was angry about the 11th-hour appointments –
And fired Arneson two days after he was sworn in as governor.
Arneson – and the Senate Republican Caucus – promptly sued Wolf.
Now the issue heads to Commonwealth Court next month.
Meanwhile – the acting executive director is still running the Office of Open Records –
And Arneson may have to return to his Senate job –
At least until this all gets resolved.
It's not the first time a departing governor has made last-minute appointments –
And it won't be the last.
Since Wolf hasn't challenged Arneson's integrity –
Or ability to head the office –
He should reinstate the man –
And focus on bigger problems.