HARRISBURG Gov.-elect Tom Wolf steps into the most powerful elective office in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, but how he wields that authority will be shaped by both outside events and the checks and balances inherent in a three-branch system of government.

A governor's authority is measured by how well he or she articulates a vision for the citizenry, uses the bully pulpit to get a message across, negotiates with recalcitrant lawmakers, cuts deals to get things done and adapts to court decisions.And, the governor's authority is shaped by the zeitgeist, whether it's a period of war or peace, a booming economy or recession and political contentment or political upheaval.The gubernatorial powers are:• Chief executive officer and runs the executive branch.• Proposes an annual state budget.• Recommends legislation and signs or vetoes bills approved by the Legislature.• Can call special legislative sessions.• Appoints officials, some of whom need Senate approval.Wolf, a York County businessman and former state revenue secretary, inherits an office shaped by predecessors dating back to the American Revolution.Wolf already provided some clues about how he plans to govern. He required transition team members not to accept gifts, nominated veterans from the administration of former Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell to fill many cabinet posts and prepared his own estimate of the state budget deficit looming in fiscal 2015-16 at $2.3 billion."You are entering office at a time of serious fiscal constraints," said Christopher Borick, Ph.D., a Throop native who is director of Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. "That means your agenda items can't be very large."Having an experienced cabinet with a sense of how Harrisburg works will help matters, he said."They have experience with members of the Legislature that can help you for working relationships," Borick said.Pennsylvania is a strong governor state by structure and tradition, said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, a veteran of former Gov. Tom Ridge's administration."In my experience working for Gov. Tom Ridge, I believe he benefited greatly from strong public approval ratings and a personal leadership approach that allowed his administration to push an agenda that resulted in a solid record of accomplishment," she said. "Gov.-elect Tom Wolf's ability to reach inside the Legislature and outside to mobilize citizens in advancing his agenda will be a good predictor of how much can potentially be achieved."Wolf and John Quigley, the Hazleton native who is his nominee for secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, have the opportunity to reverse some environmental policies of outgoing Gov. Tom Corbett, said Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, ranking Democrat on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.The senator hopes for quick action on an executive order to stop plans for expanded drilling in state forests and parks and for a renewed emphasis on developing alternate energy sources like solar and wind."We need a comprehensive approach to energy," Yudichak said.Wolf enters office facing something that Rendell dealt with in his first term: a General Assembly with both chambers controlled by large majorities of Republican lawmakers.The idea that a governor needs to work in tandem with the legislative branch is reinforced by Corbett's re-election defeat, the first one since governors were able to seek a second consecutive term.Corbett was unable to pass priority legislation to privatize state liquor stores and reduce the cost of public pensions despite having a GOP-controlled Legislature.On the other hand, Rendell won first-term victories to increase the state income tax to boost education funding, launch an economic stimulus program and legalize slots casinos while working with a GOP Legislature.Rendell used the bully pulpit by holding frequent press conferences to push for his agenda.He got necessary support for two of the above achievements by agreeing to dilute executive authority. The Commonwealth Financing Authority and Gaming Control Board created during Rendell's tenure both require a legislative super-majority vote for action to be taken. That means the four caucus appointees on those boards must be in agreement.Wolf will likely use his inaugural speech to signal a willingness to work with lawmakers, Borick said."I think he will make a clear pitch he wants to work with the Legislature in trying to find some solutions to fairly significant problems facing the state," he said.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC