Weekly Update: Combatting the Opioid Crisis, Creating Jobs, and Promoting Skills Training

Gun Safety

Last Monday, Governor Wolf joined Acting State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. Robert Evanchick to urge passage of commonsense gun safety legislation, including background checks on all gun purchases in Pennsylvania.

“I am calling on the legislature to take up additional commonsense gun reform bills that will help us close dangerous loopholes and keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to Pennsylvania’s citizens,” said Governor Wolf.

In addition to universal background checks by State Police, the governor urged the House to pass Senate Bill 501, which would prevent domestic abusers with protection from abuse orders against them from owning or possessing guns.

Jobs that Pay

On Wednesday, Governor Wolf announced that IRIS USA will create 95 new jobs in Hazle Township, Luzerne County. He also announced on Tuesday that USSC Group will create more than 240 new jobs in Chester County. Announcing these jobs builds on the governor’s Jobs that Pay initiative, which has made significant investments in 21st century manufacturing and strengthening the middle class.

Opioid Crisis

On Thursday, Governor Wolf announced new executive action to continue addressing the opioid crisis and the potential for misuse and abuse of prescription opioids within the Workers’ Compensation system. For a full list of these actions, click here. Earlier that day he announced that the Department of Drug and Alcohol Protection’s PA Get Help Now helpline fielded 1,700 more calls in the first quarter of 2018 than the final quarter of 2017. This increase in calls resulted in 846 more people in the first quarter of 2018 getting directly connected to treatment that can lead toward recovery.

Governor Wolf was also able to announce on Wednesday that Pennsylvania received $26.5 million in federal funding to continue our fight against the opioid crisis.

“The opioid and heroin crisis has hit Pennsylvania hard and this crisis doesn’t discriminate – it hits every age group, every creed, color, and income level,” Governor Wolf said. “Leftover opioids can be sold or misused by family members, leading to even more people affected by their presence. That’s why I strongly encourage all Pennsylvanians to look through your medicine cabinets and take the proactive step to keep your homes and your loved ones safe.”

Fighting the opioid crisis remains one of Governor Wolf’s top priorities, and the steps taken this week will build on his initiatives. Learn more about Governor Wolf’s action plan to combat the opioid epidemic and use the administration’s guide to learn how to treat and prevent opioid addiction.

PAsmart

On Friday, Governor Wolf toured Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) to announce a $510,000 grant, and discuss his first-of-its-kind PAsmart proposal, which will invest in a highly skilled workforce for the 21st century economy. As part of the governor’s 2018-19 budget proposal, PAsmart would invest $50 million to help workers get the skills and education for jobs in growing industries. More information on the PAsmart program is available here.

Governor Wolf’s Week, April 22–28, 2018

Monday, 4/23/18

• First Lady Frances Wolf Unveils Governor’s Residence Rain Garden During Annual Earth Day Celebration
• Governor Wolf Urges Commonsense Gun Safety, Background Checks on All Gun Purchases
• Wolf Administration Previews 2018 Northeastern Region Construction Season, Highlights Recycled Asphalt Paving Program

Tuesday, 4/24/18

• Governor Wolf Announces Expansion of USSC Group, Creation of More Than 240 Manufacturing Jobs in Chester County
• Wolf Administration Previews 2018 Indiana-based Region Construction Season, Highlights Projects

Wednesday, 4/25/18

• Governor Wolf Announces IRIS USA Expanding into Pennsylvania and Creating 95 New Jobs in Luzerne County
• Governor Wolf Announces Second $26.5 Million Federal Grant to Continue Fight Against Opioid and Heroin Crisis
• Governor Wolf Applauds Senate for Unanimous Passage of Justice Reinvestment Initiatives Legislation

Thursday, 4/26/18

• Governor Wolf, PHRC and Governor’s Advisory Commission on African-American Affairs Issue Statement Condemning Racial Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation
• Governor Wolf Announces Increased Use of Treatment Helpline in First Quarter 2018
• Governor Wolf Takes Executive Action to Curb Overprescribing of Opioids in Workers’ Compensation
• Governor Wolf Applauds Victims, District Attorney on Conviction of Bill Cosby

Friday, 4/27/18

• Governor Wolf Highlights PAsmart Workforce Proposal at Monroe Career and Technical Institute
• Governor Wolf: Saturday is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
• Governor Wolf: Medicaid Expansion Has Helped Local Economies, Hospitals

Highlights from Twitter

I’m calling on the legislature to close loopholes in Pennsylvania gun law that allow the private sale of long guns like an AR-15 without a background check. Universal background checks are one of the best ways we can keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous individuals. pic.twitter.com/pLlvF9j4aT

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 27, 2018

.@MeekMill‘s case has brought hundreds of thousands to call for change in PA. We need to make our system more fair, more equitable, and more focused on rehabilitation. I again call on the PA legislature to pass reforms to our criminal justice system. More: https://t.co/hgbFL5aVyU https://t.co/tee4bd2Vzo

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 24, 2018