Grading Gov. Tom Wolf's first year: C

York Daily Record ^ | 5 February AD 2016 | YDR Editorial Board

[lightman]

REPORT CARD

First marking period

Student: Thomas Westerman Wolf, governor

Freshman, Class of 2018

Grading scale: 0.0-4.0

Overall effectiveness (weighted)

Grade: 2.0

Comments:

Thomas is an idealistic student and a hard worker. In the past, he has demonstrated skills that qualified him for this honors program. He has been successful in business and as a community leader, bringing together people with different viewpoints to cooperate and achieve common goals. So far, however, he has not successfully brought those skills to bear on his primary task: Passage of a state budget that reflects his governing philosophy. It would be unfair to say he “does not work well with others,” and it should be noted that he has been a victim of political bullying by Republican classmates. But this program demands that students overcome such challenges and find innovative ways to succeed. Thomas still has three marking periods to show improvement.

Budgeting 101

Grade: 1.5

Comments:

As noted above, Thomas has practically failed in this primary gubernatorial task. He has taken on a monumental challenge in balancing the state books without accounting gimmicks, addressing structural deficits. We recognize that he was near success at the end of the marking period with a compromise budget, but in the end he failed to deliver. In this course, that is really all that matters. We suggest he take a more incremental approach to achieving his goals. He won a commanding statewide victory, bestowing a clear political mandate. But the reality is that he faces a Republican majority in both legislative houses. That will not change in the second marking period – and probably not in the third or fourth marking periods either. He will need to find innovative ways to foster cooperation with his GOP classmates.

Political Science 102

Grade: 2.0

Comments:

Thomas is a well-read student of political history, having achieved a Ph.D. in political science from MIT. But he is still finding his way in Pennsylvania realpolitiks. He has explained that he understands the challenges, is not discouraged by the partisanship in Harrisburg, and he noted that he knew achieving his lofty goals would take time. But a quarter of his time has elapsed, and the antipathy with his Republican rivals only seems to be increasing.

Education 201

Grade: 3.5

Comments:

Thomas gets high marks for ambition. He seeks to increase the state’s percentage of public school funding and make sensible investments in Pennsylvania students. His efforts to reform property taxes also deserve praise, as does his focus on improving struggling urban school districts such as in York City. Unfortunately, these efforts are incomplete. We hope to see more concrete results in future marking periods.

Government Integrity 222

Grade: 4.0

Comments:

This is an area in which Thomas truly excels. He instituted a gift ban for administration employees (one that should be emulated by his classmates in the Legislature). He is committed to #transPArency, posting his schedule and calendar online. He personally practices his public servant preaching by refusing a salary and living at home – driving his own Jeep to campus as a commuter.

Management Skills 301

Grade: 3.5

Comments:

Despite budget challenges, Thomas has operated the state efficiently, looking for smart ways to save money – in the food stamps program, in corrections, etc. Also, his team’s response to January’s blizzard was commendable.

Self-assessment:

2.0-3.0

“I’m a hard grader … maybe B or C.”

Comments:

We’d go with a C. Remember, voters are hard graders as well.

Current GPA: 2.0

Dean’s list: No

[NFHale]

He puts the “Douche” in Douchebag.

[P.O.E.]

Education 201 Grade: 3.5 Comments: :

Thomas gets high marks for ambition. He seeks to increase the state's percentage of public school funding and make sensible investments in Pennsylvania students. His efforts to reform property taxes also deserve praise, as does his focus on improving struggling urban school districts such as in York City. Unfortunately, these efforts are incomplete. We hope to see more concrete results in future marking periods.

Governor Wolf Signs Bill to Delay the Implementation of the Keystone Exams

PA Ping!

If you see posts of interest to Pennsylvanians, please ping me.

Thanks!

Thanks lightman for the heads up

[thouworm]

Nothing and worse only comes from a Dem governor-—especially one who hides his real agenda.

[GregB]

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF