THORNBURY — Government regulation needs to be uniform statewide and not subject to the whim of regional offices, said Tom Corbett, the leading Republican hopeful for governor on Monday.

Speaking to a breakfast meeting of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, Corbett laid out his plans to encourage economic development in Pennsylvania to the business group at the Penn Oaks Country Club.

Corbett said regulatory interpretation of laws has been different for years in different parts of the state, and should be predictable in all parts of the state. The perception that regulatory offices are separate entities without central control from Harrisburg must be broken down, he said.

Corbett, the current attorney general, said he had to break down such a barrier in his own office after election in 2002.

Corbett outlined a series of proposals for economic development and jobs creation during his address before business leaders. In addition to regulatory reform, he denounced “frivolous lawsuits,” and said the escalating spending in state government needs to be addressed.

He denounced spending in general and the latest $29 billion budget proposal of outgoing Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell. He suggested “zero-based budgeting” — starting from scratch each year — as a way to get state spending under control.

He felt the Legislature must go along because continued tax increases in the state are not sustainable. He admitted he had a “unique relationship” with the General Assembly, but said “they must” come to an agreement for the good of the state.

As attorney general, Corbett has filed criminal charges against Democratic and Republican members and staff for misuse of state funds, especially on political campaigns.

As part of his economic development proposals, Corbett placed particular emphasis on development of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in many former coal regions of the state.

He predicted development of the resource could result in up to 500,000 jobs and revitalize the economies of small towns devastated over the decades by the decline in coal and related mining activities.

He maintained the environmental damage caused by the past coal industry cannot occur in today’s regulatory environment, nor is there incentive by drillers to violate laws because of permitting requirements and fines.

Drilling, he said, is 6,000 feet below the surface, below the water table.

Job creation will help increase revenues for all sectors of government through the state, he said. Royalties to small farmers, for example, can help preserve agriculture in the state, he said.

The Marcellus Shale is a geological formation through many of Pennsylvania’s mountains where large reserves of natural gas are trapped in rock. The gas is released when a liquid is pumped through it.

In addition to private lands, many of the proposed sites are in state forests. Environmental damage from logging and industrial activities in the 19th century resulted in state takeover and rehabilitation of huge areas.

Corbett, from Allegheny County, is a former U.S. attorney from the Western District of Pennsylvania. He is the leading Republican candidate for governor and was endorsed by the Chester County Republican Party after the withdrawal of U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-6th, of West Pikeland.

Corbett’s only opponent in the May 18 Republican primary is State Rep. Samuel E. Rohrer of Berks, a self-described conservative who has generated little support from the political establishment in the state.