Tom Wolf in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Corporations:
State/private collaboration on economy
I present a comprehensive plan to help grow our economy by continuing to invest in our workforce. This plan calls on contributions from the business community, labor unions, educators, research institutions, students, parents, and adult workers.
And it increases opportunity for every Pennsylvanian at every stage of life--from birth to retirement. I'm proposing a package of policies and investments called the Statewide Workforce, Education, and Accountability Program.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Crime:
Make it easier for ex-cons to get jobs
We cannot comprehensively address our workforce development system without fixing our criminal justice system. Tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians are shut out of our workforce or underemployed because of mistakes they've made in their past.
Families are being denied providers. Employers are being denied skilled workers. We have to improve reentry programs and make it easier for those who have done their time to succeed in the workforce and their daily lives.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Education:
Increase pay for teachers; increase early childcare
We need policies that start at the very beginning, and end with every Pennsylvanian receiving an excellent education and the opportunity to land a good job. I know that no new parent looks at their baby and sees a spreadsheet, but the fact is that
preparing our kids for success starts long before they ever enter a classroom. That's why this new program includes funding for home visits to support vulnerable pregnant women, new mothers, and at-risk infants and toddlers.
My plan increases the pay floor for teachers to $45,000 a year. This is a real investment in our future. It's an investment the state--not local school districts--will make--and it's included in this budget. Most districts that cannot afford to pay
their teachers more are located in the heart of rural Pennsylvania, and it is time to make sure we are investing in educators in those areas today to prepare our kids for the competitive world of tomorrow.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Education:
Ease student debt if grads stay in Pennsylvania
My plan creates a new grant program for students who graduate from a Pennsylvania community college with an associate's degree or other industry-recognized credential--and then stay in Pennsylvania to start their careers.
If you're willing to put your newly-acquired skills to work here in our Commonwealth, the least we can do is help you avoid carrying around a crushing burden of student debt.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Families & Children:
Early action leads to good jobs
Home visiting programs promote healthy relationships and safe and stable home environments.
They're proven to work in preventing adverse childhood experiences, giving children and their parents the skills they need to reach their full potential and lift families out of poverty and into good jobs.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Government Reform:
Streamline government; reduce number of state employees
We've saved billions of dollars and reduced the number of state employees--without furloughs, all while improving customer service. We've gotten rid of facilities and leases that we don't use or need while consolidating commonwealth operations
within the capitol complex. We've made the procurement process smarter and more efficient. We will continue to look for ways to streamline government so we can invest in the things that matter to Pennsylvanians while at the same time serving them better.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Jobs:
State to be pro-active in connecting employers to workers
We have workers aging out of our workforce, and too often the next generation of worker is not there or doesn't have the skills to replace them. If we can't strengthen our workforce, we will fall behind. That's why we are going to do something a little
different. We are going to put together a Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center. Agency secretaries are going to meet each week to make sure no workforce effort walks alone or falls through some crack in the state government.
If the Department of Community and Economic Development knows a company that needs 20 welders and the Department of Labor and Industry has a welding program, we're going to connect them. If a labor union is having trouble establishing a
training program because of antiquated procedures, then we need to fix it. If a business can't hire a worker because of an out-of-date or unnecessary rule or regulation, we need to know about it so we can take action.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Tax Reform:
No new taxes: not one dollar; not one penny
Today, I put forth my budget proposal. This proposal asks for no new taxes. Not one dollar. Not one dime. Not one penny. At the same time, this budget proposes to do a number of things aimed at improving the lives of our fellow citizens. The people of
Pennsylvania have made substantial sacrifices in recent years to help our state get up off the mat--and despite a budget that asks for no new taxes, we now have a chance to continue making some important new investments on their behalf.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019