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.