As Gov. Tom Corbett approaches the middle of his term, local government officials said making improvements to Pennsylvania remains a top priority.
Included in these improvements is the relation he has with other lawmakers in Pennsylvania, both Republican and Democrat.
“He has to communicate better with both sides,” said Deb Flavin, secretary and executive director of the Centre County Republicans.
Flavin said Corbett has been doing everything he has promised, and is working at solving issues in Pennsylvania such as pension and transportation issues.
However, Flavin said that working closely with both parties would further improve Pennsylvania.
“They’ll come up with the best solutions for Pennsylvania if they work together,” she said.
Centre County Democrats Chairman Greg Stewart also said Corbett needs to become more bipartisan with issues in Pennsylvania.
Stewart said issues concerning Voter ID, transportation and environmental reforms need to be presented to both parties in the state. He said Corbett has not considered several proposed bills by Democrats concerning these issues.
Stewart said issues concerning education cuts need to be addressed, for schools like Penn State, that are being affected by education reforms around the state.
At Penn State, Stewart said Corbett should work with incoming Attorney General Kathleen Kane in investigating the events surrounding the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case, where Stewart said unanswered questions remain with regard to the investigation.
Corbett has said in the past that he may meet with Kane after she promised to further investigate the handling of the Sandusky case when elected as attorney general.
Corbett’s office did not return further calls for comment as of press time Tuesday.
Tor Michaels, chief of staff for Scott Conklin, D-Centre, said Corbett needs to listen more to the people of Pennsylvania’s agenda.
“We’re all ears and ready to listen,” he said. “We are hoping that [Corbett] changes.”
Michaels said there needs to be changes in all areas of legislation from transportation to the environment.
However, Flavin said that Corbett has been a strong leader in Pennsylvania so far.
“A good leader is not one who stomps his foot,” she said. “Corbett is getting the job done in Pennsylvania.”
While Stewart said he thinks that Corbett needs to improve his bipartisan relations with lawmakers in the state, he said that there is still a lot of time left in Corbett’s term as governor.
“A lot can happen with Corbett in two years,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
