Gov.-elect Wolf set to meet with President Obama

WASHINGTON — Tom Wolf isn’t even in the governor’s office yet, but this afternoon he’s headed to the Oval Office.

The Pennsylvania Democrat is part of a small group of governors-elected President Barack Obama invited to the White House to talk about the economy — and Mr. Wolf has plenty to say.

Mostly, he wants the president to recognize that Pennsylvania plays a key role in the national economy. Virtually all goods transported across the country end up traveling through the state’s three ports, over its railways, or along its highways.

Moreover, Pennsylvania — and Pittsburgh in particular — can be an example of revitalization for the rest of the nation, Mr. Wolf said in an interview this morning.

“Pennsylvania is a place worthy of a lot of attention when it comes to economic development. I look at Pennsylvania as a place of immense opportunity. We’ve got world-class cities, open spaces, top universities and three ports all ready to be taken advantage of,” Mr. Wolf said.

“I’m not going to be modest about our virtues,” he said. “That’s not just ‘rah-rah’ cheer. We really have something.”

He wants to fill his cabinet with advisers who believe that, too. He said is looking to fill it with people who love Pennsylvania, who support smart policies and who are inspired by the democratic process.

Their initial focus, he said, will be on funding education, improving transportation and increasing manufacturing capacity.

His administration will be challenged with a $2 billion deficit that predecessor Tom Corbett’s administration confirmed this week, attributing it to one-time fixes.

Mr. Wolf said the figure is concerning but not surprising, given his own advisers’ analysis.

“I’m adequately scared,” he said. “But I have an objective view of where we are.”

Washington Bureau Chief Tracie Mauriello: 703-996-9292, tmauriello@post-gazette.com or on Twitter @pgPoliTweets.