Governor Tom Wolf delivered his fifth budget address today, marrying the themes of his prior addresses – Schools that Teach, Jobs that Pay and Government that Works – into a comprehensive plan that would build the strongest workforce in the nation through investments in education, workforce training, farmers and veterans. The proposed budget is $34.146 billion, an increase of $927.36 million, or 2.79% over the prior year.
Noting that the “path to prosperity begins with an educated workforce,” Wolf unveiled a package of polices and investments called the Statewide Workforce, Education and Accountability Program. The first tenet of this new program is the new Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center, designed to match employer needs with potential employees and to match potential employees with necessary training. The Command Center will be led by the Secretaries of the Departments of Community and Economic Development, Labor and Industry, and State. These agencies have the most direct impact on Pennsylvania’s workforce and business development needs. The Command Center will utilize a public-private partnership with an “Employer Fund” to help businesses address their workforce needs and will be co-chaired by representatives of the private sector and unions.
Addressing 21st century workforce needs will require educational efforts to begin early. To that end, Wolf rolled out education reforms including lowering compulsory school age attendance, universal full-day kindergarten, increasing the minimum drop-out age and a new TeacherWORKS program, which will afford teachers the opportunity for workplace experience to help them understand the needs of today’s employers. The Governor also called for an increase of the pay floor for teachers to $45,000 annually, paid for by the state.
Moving beyond the school house, Wolf announced that his plan also includes a new grant program for Pennsylvania community college graduates who stay in Pennsylvania to start their careers. He also proposed $10 million in new funding for the PAsmart initiative to help non-traditional students obtain training to compete in the modern job market. Finally, Wolf announced that the PAsmart initiative will include funding to train veterans entering the workforce.
Providing little detail in the speech itself, Wolf also announced that his proposed budget recognizes that government has a role to play in the general welfare of Pennsylvania’s citizens. He proposed increased investments to ensure health care choices and prioritizes the fight against opioid epidemic. Wolf also asked for additional criminal justice reforms.
And in the end, Wolf called on the legislature to show the country and the world that Pennsylvania can be respectful and honest in its democratic pursuits while tackling the challenge of preparing Pennsylvania for a brighter future: “This – and no less than this – is our task. This is also our privilege.”
The legislature will set to work on development of a new state spending plan next week, when budget hearings convene in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.