PA DPW Secretary Gary Alexander to step down

(Harrisburg) -- The state secretary of public welfare says he's leaving the job but hasn't given the governor a letter of resignation or set a date. 

Alexander says he's leaving to explore unspecified private-sector opportunities and to spend more time with his family.

In December, the online news site Pennsylvania Independent reported that Alexander was still living in Rhode Island, nearly two years after joining Gov. Tom Corbett's administration.

The Independent said state-filed reports indicated Alexander drove more than 41,000 miles in state-owned vehicles from July 2011 through June 2012, including more than 21,000 miles of "commute'' trips.

Cumberland County Sen. Pat Vance, who chairs the Public Health and Welfare Committee, says Alexander's absences had hurt morale at the agency.