Munsee

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the podium during his visit to Nanticoke on Friday. Mark Moran | For Times Leader

NANTICOKE — When Gov. Josh Shapiro was finished talking about workforce development at the IBEW Local 163 training center in Nanticoke, he fielded a few “off-topic” questions from the media.

The first questions dealt with the status of budget talks in Harrisburg. The Legislature is split on the budget — the House, where Democrats hold the majority, approved the governor’s $50 billion-plus budget, while the Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget bill for $47.6 billion in 2025-26.

Earlier this week, Shapiro expressed optimism that an agreement will be reached soon. On Friday in Nanticoke, he reiterated his belief that the two sides can work together and pass the budget.

“I will continue talking to leaders of both parties in the House and the Senate and I feel confident that we can get it done,” Shapiro said. “They all understand the issues and I feel strongly that we can come to an agreement.”

Earlier this week, the governor said he felt the two sides are not far apart.

“I spent a good bit of time with the leader of the Democratic caucus, and I spent two hours with the Senate Republican leader, Sen. Pittman,” Shapiro said. “We’re making progress. I actually thought that the move yesterday in the Senate brought us closer, because what it did was it made clear that the Senate is committed to funding mass transit, which has been a priority of mine. So I thought we took a step forward. We have a clear direction where we all need to go, and we’re working hard to get it done.”

Asked what it will take to “get it done,” he said, “We’re going to continue to work hard, work honestly, work…

Continue reading

Gov. Josh Shapiro shakes hands with workers as he arrives at Friday’s event. Mark Moran | For Times Leader

NANTICOKE — With Gov. Josh Shapiro in town to talk about how his commitment to investing in Pennsylvania’s workforce is creating real opportunities in the region, Holly Pilcavage, vice president of Enrollment Management & Student Success at Luzerne County Community College, talked about education’s role.

“We have to meet the moment,” Pilcavage said. “At Luzerne County Community College, we’ve been able to leverage that support to expand partnerships with business and industry, remove barriers for students and prepare people for high-paying, in-demand careers. Together, we’re building a skilled workforce that will drive our region’s growth for years to come. We have to make sure our students step confidently into these new jobs.”

Shapiro visited the IBEW Local 163 JATC Electrical Training Center in Nanticoke to highlight his administration’s investments in workforce development that have helped the Commonwealth’s economy grow.

He said the Commonwealth has significantly increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeships — opening more pathways for Pennsylvanians to gain in-demand skills, secure good-paying jobs and help businesses grow.

“There are many paths to success — whether it’s college, the military, an apprenticeship, or going straight into a job — and in Pennsylvania, we’re making sure every one of those paths is open and accessible,” Shapiro said. “We’ve increased our investments in vo-tech, CTE and apprenticeships by 50% so that more Pennsylvanians have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. By expanding apprenticeships and partnering with our unions, we’re building a highly-skilled workforce that will grow our economy and create real opportunity for Pennsylvanians in communities across the Commonwealth.”

In Luzerne County, the Shapiro administration has invested $1 million in LCCC to help…

Continue reading

[]

@import url("https://www.capegazette.com/sites/all/themes/cg_base/css/ie9.css?t06u59"); ]]]]]]>]]]]>]]> ]]]]]]>]]]]>]]> ]]]]]]>]]]]>]]> ]]]]]]>]]]]>]]>

Advertisement

Return to Gallery ]]]]]]>]]]]>]]> ]]]]]]>]]]]>]]>

Continue reading