Legislators optimistic about Wolf’s bipartisan promise
Sen. Matt Smith
Rep. Jason Ortitay
Sen. Camera Bartolotta
Rep. Brandon Neuman
Local legislators from both parties praised Tom Wolf’s inauguration speech urging them to work together, but they readily admit any true signs of bipartisanship will be evident only after the new Democratic governor introduces his first budget in March.
“What the people did is they elected divided government,” state Sen. Matt Smith said, “but they didn’t elect gridlock.”
Wolf’s speech and agenda centered on a three-pronged approach to create good-paying jobs, better prepare students to enter a global job market and make government work for the people. Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, thinks Wolf will have a better chance of achieving those priorities if he keeps his promise of working closely with legislators from both parties.
“I’m very heartened, especially on his call for bipartisan cooperation and consensus building,” Smith said. “He hopes that all elected officials from both parties join him because ultimately it’s up to all of us to stake a claim in our government. To that some extent, I’m optimistic.”
The feeling was similar for freshman state Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette, as he took in the pageantry of the day and watched how legislators interacted with each other. He hasn’t yet met or spoken with the governor, but Ortitay is encouraged by what he heard thus far.
“From the spirit of his speech, it seems like he wants to work together,” Ortitay said. “Being someone who is new, I see that as very positive. He’s got the simplistic mindset that if you have good ideas, he’s willing to listen and work with us.”
State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, agreed and thought the governor set the right tone in his speech by giving a “shout out” to House Speaker Mike Turzai. Neuman said the absence of a close working relationship with former governor Tom Corbett was one of the biggest complaints from both sides.
“I think this governor, in general, is going to have more of a relationship with the Legislature and work with individuals to find out more what is most important to their districts,” Neuman said.
He cautioned the bipartisan message Tuesday could change quickly in March when Wolf releases his first budget proposal and the Legislature debates and tweaks it in the subsequent months.
“That will be a detailed description of what this governor’s priorities really are,” Neuman said. “We’re still too new to get a feel of what the priorities are in the House, Senate and governor’s mansion, and see where they overlap. Right now, (Wolf’s speech) is the framework of things to come.”
Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll, said she’s looking forward to “rolling up her sleeves” as lawmakers break into committees Wednesday. But as vice chairwoman of the Senate Energy Committee, she said one issue she won’t compromise on is removing the impact fee on Marcellus Shale funneled to local municipalities.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to work and working with the new majority, along with the Democratic senators,” Bartolotta said. “I really think we’re going to be able to work together and move forward.”
Meanwhile, two legislators announced new offices opening in their districts Tuesday.
Ortitay’s district office at 275 Millers Run Road in South Fayette, which is located in the rear of the property next to Lomma Crane, opened full time Tuesday and will be available to constituents from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Ortitay said he hopes to eventually open a satellite office in Burgettstown or Smith Township.
Neuman announced he opened a second district office in Washington on the second floor of the George Washington Hotel where former senator Tim Solobay’s headquarters once was located. Neuman will continue to operate his main office on Route 19 in North Strabane Township.