One year ago an idealistic governor from Arkansas was sworn in as president of the United States. After promising Americans a better tomorrow during his election campaign, President Clinton started a whirlwind in Washington, D.C. --throwing scandal, health care and community service into the public eye.

As a result, Pennsylvania residents and legislators have seen how national policy change can affect their everyday lives. Michael Young, director of the institute of state and regional affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, said Pennsylvania has experienced economic improvement that can be attributed to the Clinton administration.

"This state is a microcosm of the country," Young said. The unemployment rate has also improved across the state, he said.

Pennsylvania has become a spotlight state in health care because of U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford's work on health care reform, Young said. Wofford, D-Pa., has brought credit to the state, starting with his call for health care reform in his 1991 campaign.

Andrew Kreider, president of College Democrats, said health care will also be in the limelight during the upcoming Senate and gubernatorial primary elections with Wofford running for U.S. Senate and Lynn Yeakel for governor. Yeakel is the regional coordinator for health care reform.

State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Philipsburg, said it is too early to tell what positive or adverse effects the Clinton administration will have on Pennsylvania residents. Herman predicts that Gov. Robert P. Casey's health care package will be implemented before national health care reform.

As far as the issues go, many agree that Clinton has addressed some concerns of the American public but disagree on what issues are actually important. Will Enscore, president of College Republicans, said Clinton has accomplished some issues on his platform and is catering to what the American public wants.

"That is what you have to do to be successful," Enscore said. "He is skilled in the art of persuasion."

The news media has placed emphasis on the deficit and health care, so Clinton was expected to deal with these issues immediately, Enscore said. Many of these issues -- such as health care and crime --would have been addressed regardless of who was in office, he said.

Clinton has also been receptive to issues affecting younger voters and has worked to pass legislation geared to younger generations --such as the motor-voter bill and National and Community Service Trust Act, Enscore said.

Former President Bush did not support the motor-voter bill, which allows people to register to vote when they get their driver's license, but Kreider said Clinton considers college-aged Americans an important faction of the voting population.

"Since he has a young daughter, he is a bit more in touch with younger generations," he said.

Centre County Republican Committee Chairman Jack Madore said he questions Clinton's priorities when it comes to ranking issues.

"I certainly think his heart is in the right place," Madore said. But he thinks Clinton is going in the wrong direction.

He has wasted his time with less important agenda items -- such as gay people in the military and women in combat, Madore said, adding that welfare reform is a burning issue that needs to be addressed.

Overall, Kreider said Clinton tried to please too many people at once, biting off more than one thing at a time. But Clinton has learned to focus on one thing at a time, Kreider said, adding he hopes Clinton will focus on the deficit in 1994.

Although Young said he thinks Clinton is moving ahead on national issues, Clinton's attention has been diverted with scandalous accusations -- such as sexual misconduct allegations and Whitewater --suspicions about Clinton's financial dealings in Arkansas.

Even though scandalous allegations have not allowed Clinton to gain credibility, Young said Clinton's job-approval rating has remained stable at 54 percent. Clinton's trust ratings have been shaky, starting with draft-dodging allegations that came out during his campaign, he said.

While scandal has seemed to hover over the Clinton administration, Kreider said he thinks people are fed up with gossip and just want to see issue-oriented progress.