While there, he touched on a tough couple weeks in Pennsylvania politics, including the shooting of two police officers in the area last Thursday, the ongoing state budget impasse, and the looming shadow of political violence.

As for laborers, Shapiro highlighted investments in career and technical education as well as his administration’s move to do away with the college requirement for many jobs within the commonwealth, emphasizing that not all students benefit from the same type of learning.

“Through their commitment to high-quality training, I gained the technical skills to excel in the electrical trade, as well as the discipline, awareness, and confidence needed to be the best in a demanding trade,” said Atherton. “The JATC’s structured apprenticeship program has provided hands-on experience in the classroom and given me the opportunity to earn a living while working in the field alongside journeymen who have gone before me.”

In total, the state has 851 registered apprenticeship programs serving 15,700 apprentices. The administration is credited with creating 165 new pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships and training more than 34,000 Pennsylvanians in technical and agricultural fields.

The governor’s proposed budget includes $20 million to support this kind of training, though existing initiatives across the state are waiting on tenterhooks for Republican leaders in the Senate and Democratic leaders in the House to come to a compromise.

With the state’s fiscal year already well underway, hopes for an agreement were shattered this week when the General Assembly failed not only to pass a budget but to come to an agreement that would fund transit. SEPTA’s deadline for funding before making drastic cuts and increasing fares came and went Thursday.

“We’re governing in really polarized times where it’s hard to find common ground between Democrats and Republicans, but we’ve proven here in Pennsylvania over the last couple years we can do that,” said Shapiro. “We’re going to keep pushing hard throughout the weekend and hopefully get this done soon.”

“I wish them a life of happiness and a wonderful wedding this weekend, and the way we settle our differences in this society and our politics is through debate. It’s through speaking up in respectful ways, airing out our differences,” said Shapiro. “There’s nothing wrong with having a different view on a policy. I have different views on many policies from the congressman. I’m sure he does with me, but the reality is, we debate those things in a respectful way.”