Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 1, 2014 03:41 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Brandon P. Neuman |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution - Investigation into the work of Special Advisor for Higher Education |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution urging the Attorney General of Pennsylvania to appoint a special counsel to investigate whether former secretary of education Ronald Tomalis was an absentee employee while employed as Governor Corbett’s Special adviser for education. As you may know, there have been widespread media reports surrounding the employment record of Mr. Tomalis, who was appointed Special Adviser for Higher Education in May 2013 following his resignation as Education Secretary. The newly created position paid $139,542, the same annual salary that Mr. Tomalis had received as Education Secretary. After questions were raised about Mr. Tomalis’ work and necessity of his position, he resigned in August 2014. Despite media inquiries and Right-to-Know requests, there is very little documentation regarding Mr. Tomalis’ work as the Governor’s Special Adviser for Higher Education. Other than parking garage entry and exit records, the Department of Education has not provided documentation that Mr. Tomalis completed credible work during his tenure as Special Adviser for Higher Education. Accordingly, I am introducing a resolution urging the appointment of a special counsel by the Office of Attorney General to investigate the matter. Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve answers concerning the work performed by Mr. Tomalis and justification for the expenditure of nearly $140,000 of Commonwealth funds. In the interest of transparency and to ensure that Commonwealth funds were properly spent, I urge you to support this legislation. Please join me in encouraging the Attorney General of Pennsylvania to investigate this matter. |