HARRISBURG Donated bus brought host of troubles for governor

The donor is accused of owing the state $840,000 in back taxes.
HARRISBURG (AP) -- The Rendell administration's first stumble with Commonwealth One, the tricked-out bus donated to the state, was when it failed to get the permission of legislative leaders to print their names on the side of the vehicle.
Since then, a litany of cosmetic, mechanical, and legal misadventures have kept the bus largely garaged during Gov. Ed Rendell's first year as governor, a newspaper report says.
The problems culminated with the discovery that the man who donated the used bus in the first place -- and received a tax write-off in exchange -- is accused of owing the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday.
This week, with those problems seemingly resolved, Rendell rode on the bus for only the second time: a trouble-free 30-mile trip south from Harrisburg to York for a bill signing.
Up until now, dealing with the bus "has been challenging," said the governor's press secretary, Kate Philips. The headaches prompted one administration aide to suggest rolling the bus into the Susquehanna River -- and leaving it there.
Getting permission from legislative leaders to print their names on the bus' steel skin delayed its unveiling for weeks.
The 40-foot-long bus, shrink-wrapped with a collage of Pennsylvania landmarks that include the Capitol dome, the Pittsburgh skyline and Philadelphia's Independence Hall, and packed with two satellite TVs, a conference room and a shower, was finally introduced with much fanfare in May as "government on wheels."
It had 192,000 miles on the odometer. Since then, only 1,100 miles have been added.
The bus made its first trip, a swing through western Pennsylvania, with Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff's misspelled on the vehicle's flank as Dennis Wolf.
Donor
Then the cooling system and other parts began breaking down. And as repairs were made, officials discovered large claims for back taxes against the donor.
Rendell originally told reporters that the bus was being donated by a political supporter. He refused to identify him, but noted that the donor did not do business with the state.
"But I didn't think to check about whether he had any tax liabilities or lawsuits with the state," Rendell told The Inquirer. "When we found out he did, we thought it wasn't an appropriate fit."
A nimble scheme helped the administration hide the donor's identity. It arranged for him to give the bus to the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, a nonprofit economic development group co-chaired by Rendell. In turn, the organization would lease the bus to the state for a small sum.
The identity of the donor -- Ray G. Anthony of Allegheny County -- was revealed only after The Inquirer requested it through the Right to Know Act, the state's open-records law.
Anthony's tax attorney, Dominic Ciarimboli, said the state is alleging that several businesses controlled by Anthony owe at least $840,000 in sales and other taxes.
Anthony, who has business interests in Florida and the Pittsburgh area that range from guns and construction to trucking, planes and exotic cars, is appealing that assessment.
Among other things, Anthony argues that because the companies resold aircraft and cars they should not be subject to sales taxes. Anthony's secretary at his West Mifflin offices said Friday he was out of town and could not be reached for comment. It does not appear that he has given money to Rendell's campaigns, the newspaper reported.
Purchase
Given all the problems with the bus, the Rendell administration decided to buy it. The Team Pennsylvania Foundation said it raised $125,000 and earlier this month purchased the bus from one of Anthony's companies. The foundation then transferred the title to the state highway department.
"Any appearance that the donor was not complying with the rules we all live by could potentially reflect on the governor," Philips said, "and it would be foolish to allow that to go on."