Gov. Tom Wolf discussed job creation and workforce development Friday on his "Jobs that Pay" tour in Schnecksville at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Tech Center and the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at Bucks County Community College in Bristol.

Wolf's budget makes significant new investments in manufacturing, economic development and workforce training aimed at rebuilding Pennsylvania's middle class while reducing the corporate net income tax by 40 percent immediately. In addition, the 2015-2016 budget provides a $15 million increase to community colleges. This reinvestment restores 75 percent of the cuts made to community colleges' funding since 2011."When I ran a business, finding talented people with the right skills was my highest priority. It's what made us competitive in the marketplace," Wolf said. "My budget proposal recognizes that our responsibility to provide a great education does not end with high school. Reinvesting in higher education and community colleges will help prepare people for jobs that pay. Rebuilding the middle class and creating a better future for all Pennsylvanians depends on a skilled workforce and a pro-job creation business climate."In addition to increased funding for high school career and technical education programs and the reinstatement of the dual enrollment program, Wolf's budget proposal encourages school districts, employers and postsecondary institutions to work together to create a seamless bridge for students transitioning from high school to college or a career.Reps. Gary Day, R-Lehigh/Berks; Julie Harhart, R-Lehigh/Northampton; Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon; Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill; and Justin Simmons, R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton issued the following statement after Wolf's visit to LCCC:"We appreciate the governor visiting Lehigh Carbon Community College today and drawing attention to the wonderful things this institution is doing for our students and our community. LCCC offers affordable access to quality education in a wide variety of in-demand fields and, because of that, its students have been highly successful in finding quality employment after graduation."Like Gov. Wolf, we also want to see LCCC continue to grow and thrive and help both traditional and nontraditional students succeed in life. We too want 'schools that teach,' 'government that works' and 'jobs that pay.' But we don't believe bigger government and bigger spending is the way to achieve those goals."