By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — As expected, the Corbett administration has put out a call to firms that would be interested in running the operations of the Pennsylvania Lottery (see previous story).

The Corbett administration has put out a “request for qualifications” from firms that might enter into a private management agreement for Lottery operations.

Reaction was predictable, along party lines.

Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County), the House majority leader who is behind the effort to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania, likes the idea of a private Lottery manager as well.

“I think oftentimes you just find that when you outsource these services, that they are better done by the private sector,” he told KYW Newsradio today.

Meanwhile, Rep. Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny), the House minority leader, while not dismissing the idea out of hand, is skeptical.  He says the Pennsylvania Lottery is well run as it is.

“And even in the face of the expanded gambling in Pennsylvania -– with all the casinos that we have, and the racetracks — the Lottery is holding its own,” he says.

Dermody says House Democrats are looking into whether or not the administration needs legislative approval to outsource Lottery management.