Wolf’s aggressive first month spurs list of GOP grievances
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is sowing good will among the Legislature’s huge Republican majorities with his office visits to lawmakers, and the Democrat might need every drop of it.
Wolf’s aggressive and, at times, confrontational first month in office has included checking off campaign pledges such as initiating a moratorium on the death penalty and seeking higher taxes on the natural gas industry.
It’s won plaudits from Democrats, but inflamed some Republicans and sparked at least two lawsuits.
Ahead is what many worry will be a brutally difficult budget negotiation between a conservative Legislature and liberal governor who’s expected to seek tax increases to pump more money into public schools.
He’ll need Republican cooperation to do it, but Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati says Wolf isn’t encouraging such cooperation.