Gov. Wolf: Strong Finances Pave The Way For COVID-19 Recovery

Standing in front of a mural of a man working on train tracks in Phoenixville’s borough hall, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday that the Keystone State is in a strong financial position to help recover from COVID-19.

“People all across the commonwealth are still recovering from the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the governor said to a crowd of about 40 borough employees and spectators, some wearing masks.

“The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is in a strong financial position right now. That’s why it’s so important for us to use this opportunity to help Pennsylvanians. Inflation is high, and everything from groceries to gas is a little more expensive than it used to be.

“More than ever before, this is the time to invest in helping our people get back on their feet. That’s why I’m calling for action, and for major investments to make life a little bit easier for all Pennsylvanians.”

The governor, joined by local and state officials, stated that he has increased the state’s “rainy day” fund from $231,800 to $2.8 billion in seven and half years of running the state government.

Wolf said he has made education a top priority throughout his administration, including historic investments in schools and students.

He plans to add an additional $1.9 billion for education in pre-K through college in his proposed $47.4 billion budget.

The governor said the investment will give schools the resources they need to provide a world class education to students, while reducing the tax burden on local communities.

He said the increase in funding may help local governments reduce their reliance on local property taxes for school funding.

In Pennsylvania, Wolf said, the past seven and a half years have shown a steady tax revenue increase of $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion a year, and revenues continue to show healthy growth.

“My plan to invest in the people of Pennsylvania is both bold and responsible,” Wolf said.

The governor said he anticipates Pennsylvania will still have a more than $3 billion surplus at the end of the year, above and beyond the $2.8 billion in the “rainy day” fund.

Department of Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said the commonwealth is in a much stronger fiscal position today than two years ago when the pandemic harmed Pennsylvania’s economy.

“Revenue collections are strong thanks in part to Gov. Wolf’s strong management and the stimulus funds that have flowed into Pennsylvania from the federal government,” Hassell said. “Economists expect our economic recovery to continue, which makes this the time to make the historic investments that the governor is calling for in his budget proposal.”

Phoenixville turns around

When welcoming the governor to Phoenixville, Mayor Peter Ursheler said that the borough recovered from the Great Depression to become a thriving community.

“For generations Phoenixville produced the iron and steel that held up our country’s greatest monuments and the world’s bridges,” the mayor said. “After losing manufacturing facilities,” he continued, “Phoenixville was in an economic depression.

“Today, more than 30 years later, like the mystic phoenix, we have risen from the ashes to become one of the fastest growing communities.”

St. Rep. Danielle Freil Otten, a Chester County Democrat, said Phoenixville is a great example of how the community works together to turn around.

“We have breweries, restaurants and a great school district,” Otten said. “This year’s budget represents an unprecedented opportunity to help ensure a better, brighter, healthier, and most prosperous future for all Pennsylvanians.”

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, a Chester County Democrat, said Wolf’s leadership put Pennsylvania in a place of economic strength to recover from the pandemic.

“The time is now to leverage our state’s strong financial position to invest in Pennsylvanians through funding for working families, and supporting small businesses,” Shusterman said.