Shapiro taps ex-lawmakers, university officials for Cabinet

FILE – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, speaks after Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his budget address for the 2022-23 fiscal year to a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate in Harrisburg, Pa., on Feb. 8, 2022. Former Republican state Sen. Browne will lead the Department of Revenue, said incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two just-retired state lawmakers will help fill the Cabinet of the incoming governor, Josh Shapiro. The Democrat also says he’ll pluck nominees from the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University. Shapiro said Thursday that former Republican Sen. Pat Browne will lead the Department of Revenue and former Democratic Rep. Mike Carroll will lead the Department of Transportation. To head the Department of Community and Economic Development, Shapiro chose Rick Siger. Currently, Siger is chief of staff to Carnegie Mellon University’s president. Sarah Hammer will lead Shapiro’s Department of Banking and Securities. She’s currently managing director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.