Lehigh Times

Gov. Tom Wolf recently criticized the work of Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers following the last scheduled legislative session in Harrisburg, saying there are issues that were not worked on which would help the prosperity of state.

“As the 2021-22 legislative session draws to a close, it’s extremely disappointing that measures that would have lifted up Pennsylvanians, strengthened democracy through important election reforms, and improved public health and safety in our communities will not be addressed,” Wolf said in an October 26 press release. “Yet again, Republicans in the General Assembly have failed to prioritize the real needs of Pennsylvanians.”

Wolf said that behavioral health services is a major need for an upgrade in the commonwealth, but he noted that legislators did not allocate the $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding needed. These were funds appropriated about four months ago in the approved budget.

“Individuals who need these services can’t wait and this inaction is a blatant disregard for vulnerable constituents and the mental health care system,” Wolf said. “My administration fully supports the commission’s recommendations and applauds the commission’s swift work to provide thoughtful and comprehensive recommendations to the legislature that are widely supported by stakeholders.”

Wolf also called the state’s minimum wage “embarrassing” and said that Pennsylvania residents are being “short changed” due to this and the failure to provide $2,000 direct payments to households as a boost for residents in need.

He also said there are barriers with voting and measures were in place to remove them, but lawmakers did not follow through. This included implementing voting reforms that included 21 days of pre-canvassing, which was requested by county officials. This never got a final vote, Wolf pointed out.

Another area of concern that is still in limbo is a proposed regulation that protects against discrimination by adding the words “sex,” “race,” and “religious creed” to the Protected Classes list in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act. He fears the failure to act on it will prevent this from moving forward.

Wolf also addressed the crime in Pennsylvania, saying that while Republicans claim to be tough on crime they did not act on “common sense bills” that are aimed to stop gun violence.

Wolf’s time in office ends after this term, but he assured Pennsylvanians that he would work hard to the end to help move things in the right direction.

“I have made it my priority to focus on the issues that make Pennsylvanians’ lives better and although my time left in office is limited, I will continue to prioritize this great commonwealth and all of our constituents,” Wolf said.