HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)A once-confidential memo to Gov. Ed Rendell, listing scores of employees of state boards and commissions and advising Rendell how soon he will control their jobs, is circulating among administration outsiders who say it reveals the Democrat's eagerness to broaden his political patronage. ---
"I have reviewed all of the boards/commissions with dedicated staff under your purview and have outlined when we will control the board," Fleet reported to Rendell. ---
Kate Philips, the governor's spokeswoman, said reviewing boards and commissions is "a very natural part of the change in administration" and that "there's nothing scandalous about it."
Philips noted that Rendell held over several Cabinet members appointed by his Republican predecessors and said he did the same for many other high-ranking appointed officials, but she did not deny that at least some of the people identified in Fleet's memo would be replaced. ---