Bill O’Boyle: Gov. Wolf leaves 2,540 with second chances; most pardons in Pa. history

Jan. 15—Believing strongly that decisions of the past shouldn't keep Pennsylvanians from making progress, Gov. Tom Wolf this week granted his final 369 pardons this week — bringing his total to 2,540.

"I have taken this process very seriously — reviewing and giving careful thought to each and every one of these 2,540 pardons and the lives they will impact," Wolf said. "Every single one of the Pennsylvanians who made it through the process truly deserves their second chance, and it's been my honor to grant it. A record prevents positive forward motion in a person's life, and can spark a repetitive cycle of defeat. I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities."

These 2,540 pardons are the most pardons granted by a governor in the history of Pennsylvania. Before Gov. Wolf, Gov. Ed Rendell held the record with 1,122 pardons granted.

A pardon constitutes total forgiveness by the state for a criminal conviction, regardless of whether the sentence included time in prison, and allows for expungement of the related criminal record. Applying for a pardon is free for individuals seeking clemency — an update made during the Wolf Administration — and the application can be downloaded online. The process does not require a lawyer.

Gov. Wolf said he has prioritized criminal justice reform throughout his administration and thanks to his leadership, Pennsylvania is a leader in pardon reform. Since taking office, Gov. Wolf has granted 2,540 pardons — 395 of those were part of the expedited review process for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses and 232 were a part of the PA Marijuana Pardon Project.

A 2020 report by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia analyzing 10 years of pardons data found that pardons contributed $16.5 million to Pennsylvania's economy over the past decade, at no cost to anyone.

Under the Wolf Administration the pardons process has been modernized so that the application process is more streamlined, and application fees are now waived. In 2019, the Board of Pardons introduced and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman authorized the Expedited Review Program for Nonviolent Marijuana-Related Offenses, a program to speed up the pardons' application process for people with nonviolent marijuana possession or paraphernalia convictions.

In September 2022, Gov. Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman launched the PA Marijuana Pardon Project in an effort to quickly pardon Pennsylvanians with only minor marijuana convictions on their record.

Gov. Wolf has served for two terms as a leader consistently at work for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the commonwealth's comeback, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.

Rep. Meuser votes to roll back

IRS funding for 87,000 agents

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, voted in favor of legislation that will roll back funding to hire 87,000 new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, emphasizing there is a better way to collect tax revenue.

The legislation passed the Republican controlled House by a vote of 221-210.

H.R. 23 — "The Family and Small Business Protection Act" — was the first piece of legislation passed by the 118th Congress under Republican leadership. The legislation rescinds all new funding to hire 87,000 new IRS agents, while maintaining funding to enhance the quality of services Americans receive from government.

Speaking on the House floor prior to the vote, Meuser commented, "I served as Revenue Secretary for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We did, in fact, close the tax gap through what proved to be more effective measures. These measures included improving IT (information technology) systems and processes which truly determined tax evasion from tax avoidance."

According to the Congressional Budget Office, adding 87,000 agents to the IRS would cause audit rates to "rise for all taxpayers."

A bipartisan analysis also found that this increase in funding would result in 1.2 million more audits — 700,000 of which will target taxpayers making $75,000 or less.

Meuser stated that doubling the size of the IRS would not improve the quality of information used to accomplish the goal of collecting all tax revenue due, adding it would only increase the number of audits, which often fall on small businesses and individuals.

"This is a flawed plan that will do nothing but increase size of government, increase audits on law abiding Americans, and fail to achieve its intended results," Meuser said. "It's big government at its worst. These new IRS agents will not be targeting 'wealthy tax cheats' as is the claim. They will be largely targeting everyday Americans."

Labor & Industry announces more funding

to increase veterans employment statewide

Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier this week announced grant awards totaling nearly $740,000 to local organizations committed to connecting Pennsylvania veterans with family-sustaining jobs.

The Wolf Administration has designed Veterans Employment Program (VEP) Grants to eliminate barriers to employment that veterans face across the commonwealth.

"Pennsylvania continues its commitment to veterans through VEP funding, providing modernized training and financial stability as they enter or change careers in our workforce," Berrier said. "The partnerships we have with employers to provide industry-recognized skills training create opportunities for career advancement and success for veterans while helping to support an ever-changing yet strengthened labor market."

Pennsylvania is home to more than 700,000 veterans, roughly 7.5% of the commonwealth's population. In March 2022, the Wolf Administration announced an earlier round of $800,000 in VEP funding to four workforce development projects.

The VEP provides veterans with a greater opportunity to sharpen and broaden their skills, leading to meaningful employment after they leave the military," said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "We are thankful to the Wolf Administration for recognizing the value veterans bring to the workforce, and for partnering with L & I and other entities that are willing to make an investment in the lives and careers of men and women who served and sacrificed for our nation."

Successful applicants identified opportunities for new and innovative projects to create veteran employment opportunities, to close funding gaps or supplement existing initiatives for more comprehensive services. Employer applicants also needed to demonstrate how they would bring together businesses, education, workforce, community, and other partners to achieve employment support for veterans.

PennDOT announces plans display for

SR 11 Hunlock Creek Bridge replacement

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) this week invited the public to an in-person and virtual plans display regarding the State Route 11, Section 357, Superstructure Replacement Project over Hunlock Creek in Hunlock Township, Luzerne County.

This plans display will be held online, and plans will be displayed for public viewing at the Hunlock Township municipal building.

The bridge is located on SR 11 over Hunlock Creek, approximately 3 miles west of Nanticoke.

The existing bridge was constructed in 1940. Approximately 6,900 vehicles per day use the bridge.

The purpose of the project is to provide a sustainable crossing over Hunlock Creek that provides a three-lane bridge (1 southbound through lane, 1 northbound left-turn lane, and 1 northbound through lane), addresses the structural deficiencies, and provides continued access to local residents, businesses, and emergency services.

This project consists of replacing the existing single-span reinforced concrete T-beam bridge superstructure under fill with a single-span composite pre-stressed concrete spread box beam bridge. The existing abutments will be repaired and remain in place. Additional proposed work includes approach roadway reconstruction, traffic island improvements at the intersection of SR 11 and SR 4016 (Main Road), guide rail replacement, along with improvements to the traffic signal, signing, and pavement marking.

The project is currently in design and is planned to be let in May 2024. It is anticipated that some construction will begin in the summer of 2024 and will be complete by the fall of 2025.

The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project, display and describe the planned detour, and receive public input regarding questions or concerns with the project.

The plans display will be held in-person and online. The project will be presented at the regular scheduled Board of Supervisors Meeting to be held at the Hunlock Township Municipal Building, 33 Village Drive, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621 on Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. The digital version of the plans display will be available from Jan. 16, to March 31.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.