opinion

Tom Wolf is the governor who loves (letter)

In the waning hours of Gov. Tom Wolf’s first term, before the electoral mudslinging begins, I’ve been lingering on an important lesson he brought to his office.

Through his executive actions and legislative agenda, Tom Wolf governs Pennsylvania with compassion, tenderness and kindness not seen in recent governors. He’s the governor who loves.

As a 24-year-old York native, love and compassion were not attributes I would have previously sought in my elected officials, but I found them in the governor from my hometown.

More: 2018 Pa. governor's race: Who is Tom Wolf?

Look no further than his record. Gov. Wolf expanded Medicaid and championed significant increases in education funding soon after being sworn in.

He launched the “It’s On Us PA” campaign to raise awareness of sexual misconduct in educational environments.

Tom Wolf signed Libre’s Law, the statute that protects animals from cruelty and allows animal abusers to face felony charges.

When the legislature declined to vote on the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, Gov. Wolf signed executive orders on nondiscrimination protecting LGBT individuals.

Amidst the confusion triggered by President Trump’s travel ban, our governor went to the Philadelphia airport and welcomed refugees yearning to breathe free in our commonwealth. He personally reimbursed one family of refugees in Allentown for over $20,000 in expenses accrued on their journey here.

His kindheartedness is never more evident than when the governor interacts with school children, senior citizens, and families of drug overdose victims. He listens. He comforts. He cares.

After watching Gov. Wolf execute the gubernatorial duties with great love and compassion for his fellow Pennsylvanians, I can’t imagine voting for any candidate in any future election who doesn’t bring love to the table.

Regardless of the next election’s outcome, Gov. Wolf has inspired me to approach my life and work with the same tenderness he brings to the governorship, and I am grateful.

Joe Buckel

Carnegie Borough