PENNSYLVANIA, USA — A new Muhlenberg College poll shows 51% of Pennsylvanians approve of Governor Josh Shapiro’s performance as leader of the Commonwealth in his first year in office.
From the Interstate 95 highway collapse in Philadelphia to being the only governor in the country to face a full-time divided legislature, 2023 was a year that had no shortage of hurdles for the first-time governor.
Gov. Shapiro (D-Pennsylvania) took to social media in December to highlight his first year in office.
Gov. Shapiro emphasized a “Get Stuff Done" mantra when he was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th Governor on January 17.
Less than three weeks later, he faced his first challenge as the Commonwealth’s leader when a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio less than a mile from Pennsylvania’s border on February 3.
"Number one, we need testing and knowledge and number two we need accountability. We are going to deliver both," said Gov. Shapiro at a February press conference with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and EPA officials addressing the Norfolk Southern train incident.
As budget negotiations stalled and passed a June 30 deadline, the governor was confronted with a second disaster. A portion of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia collapsed after a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo caught fire on June 11.
Gov. Shapiro said it would take months to rebuild but with the help of federal aid, it was rebuilt just 12 days later.
"I plan to issue a disaster declaration, allowing the Commonwealth to immediately draw down federal funds and move quickly to repair and reconstruct this roadway," said Gov. Shapiro following the collapse.
In August, Governor Shapiro finally signed the 2023/2024 state budget into law which included new funding for additional Pa. state troopers and universal free breakfast for Pennsylvania school children.
However, it was not until December 13 that two education code bills and a fiscal code bill would be passed to conclude the budget drama.
"I know it's been a long day but sometimes that's what it takes to get big things done for the good people of Pennsylvania," said Shapiro after announcing the final pieces of the state budget had passed.
A handful of laws the governor signed will also take effect in 2024 including changed fitness standards for police, fentanyl testing in hospitals, new Pa. dog laws, childcare tax credits and automatic voter registration.
More information on those laws can also be found here.