Governor-elect Tom Wolf plans to publicize some of the private donations that'll cover the costs of his inauguration day and transition team.
On Tuesday, the transition team scheduled two disclosure dates - January 15 and March 30 - when Wolf will share who ponied up to pay for his inauguration day festivities and his transition team's costs.
It's typical for governors to get private sponsors to underwrite inauguration day, but Wolf said he didn't want to burden taxpayers with his transition, either.
At least one government gadfly said that means Wolf is breaking his own gift ban.
"Private donations are gifts," said activist Eric Epstein, with Rock the Capital. He said contributors wouldn't give a substantial amount "without expecting a return on investment."
But Wolf's spokesman Jeffrey Sheridan said the no-gift pledge is meant to eliminate frivolous favors like event tickets and meals, while the transition "is a process that has to be funded somehow."
Donations for both the inauguration and the transition are capped at $50,000. But while all contributions to the transition will be disclosed, donations to the January 20 swearing-in day festivities will only be posted to Wolf's inauguration website if the gifts exceed $500.
State taxpayers will still foot a bill if Gov. Tom Corbett plans to extend a decades-long tradition of giving state workers the day off on inauguration day. It cost about $2 million four years ago.
