Pa. readies for the start of Wolf’s second term
In his inaugural speech, Wolf is expected to renew calls for a higher minimum wage and natural gas severance tax.
In this file photo Gov. Tom Wolf gives his budget address at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. (Chris Knight/AP Photo)
Updated 1:50 p.m. Monday
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The start of a term two is imminent for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
He’s being sworn in Tuesday in a day-long series of events.
The day will be capped with a celebration at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, featuring Pa.-made food and drinks, Philadelphia’s own the Roots, and a whole bunch of sports mascots — though the Flyers’ infamous Gritty is apparently skipping the event.
But before that can all start, the official stuff has to happen.
A spokesperson said that in Wolf’s inaugural speech, he is expected to focus on bipartisan cooperation and restoring public trust in government.
The governor has indicated that in his coming term, he plans to renew efforts to pass a higher minimum wage and natural gas severance tax, among other things. Those are both priorities that didn’t get much traction in the last four years.
Wolf’s first term was marked by budget battles, incremental progress toward a less-punitive criminal justice system, legal medical marijuana, more widely-available booze, and a lot of head-butting between himself and the Republican-controlled legislature.
The inauguration will also be former Braddock mayor and new lieutenant governor John Fetterman’s introduction to Harrisburg.
Fetterman will preside over the Senate and chair the Board of Pardons.
This story has been updated to reflect that the governor plans to focus on bipartisanship and trust in government in his inaugural address.
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