11 reactions to Gov. Corbett’s Millersville commencement speech

@sperow_sparrow Graduation update: Corbett’s speech was less than satisfactory. He is now directing traffic.

@EmilyAnn316 @GovernorCorbett as a graduating senior of the MU class of 2013 I am completely embarrassed to have you as our speaker.

@Mommadag Can’t figure out why Corbett is the speaker today given his cuts to education

@Mommadag How many cliches does it take to make a commencement speech

@a_straz Nice speech Corbett, did you get that last quote off Pinterest?

@3Xthe_Charm He wrote that speeh with quotes from Pinterest! #corbett #wack

@gold_standard Corbett could have farted into the microphone and it would have been a better speech.

@waff_2013 “Will I get a job?” Not with you in office Corbett…

@JonnyTheWills Governor Corbett sucks at graduation speeches as much as governing.

@PurpleToken278 Damn. People seriously turned their chairs around.

@mosnow23 Dying a slow and painful death while I listen to Tom Corbet speak lies at Millersvilles graduation.

Students and Alumni React To Gov. Corbett’s Commencement Speech at Millersville University

Tomorrow, Tom Corbett is slated to give Millersville University’s 2013 commencement speech. Since Tom Corbett has taken office, Millersville University has seen disastrous budget cuts, forcing them to increase class sizes and cut important programs.

We think the Millersville graduating seniors deserve more than Tom Corbett. And many in the Millersville community agree. Check out what they have to say:

“Tom Corbett’s approval ratings were at 26% as of February 7th, 2013- the worst approval numbers ever polled by Franklin & Marshall College’s polling center. Corbett is one of the most vulnerable governors, politically, in the nation come 2014. His Tea Party policies have decimated the state’s educational system- high and low. As if adding insult to his countless injuries upon Pennsylvanians, under Corbett’s tenure as our governor, our Commonwealth has fallen from 7th to 49th in job creation- merely halfway through his fist term. Therefore, I request, in the strongest possible meaning, that Millersville University reconsider hosting the governor and allowing him to address the Graduating Class of 2013. They have loudly expressed that they oppose his presence as well. Perhaps, it is best to listen to the wishes of the soon to be graduates.”

-J. Rizzo Mertz, Class of 2011

“The argument that people are making against Gov. Corbett’s appearance at Millersville’s Spring Commencement has nothing to do with his status as an elected official or the “Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth,” nor does it have to do with any incurred expenses his appearance may have cost the University. It has to do with the fact that he has done more to harm the work of Millersville University and the PASSHE at large with his sweeping budget cuts than any other ‘Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth’ of note. By hosting him as the keynote speaker, Millersville University is, in effect, endorsing him and his education policies, even though those policies have cost the University dearly in terms of tuition costs, class size, educational offerings, faculty workload, and other areas. How many students have had to stay extra semesters, putting their life on hold and building further debt, in order to compensate for these policies? How many students have withdrawn from Millersville or transferred to other institutions to avoid them? How many faculty or staff members have been forced to work longer hours, teach more classes, take on more students, and earn less wage because of these policies?”

- Zach Bailey, Class of 2012

“How did the budget cuts affect my time at MU? Well, there were the big things, like the fact that for the first several days of the semester, classrooms were so crowded, students would be sitting on the floor, just hoping that professors would let them in to a required, upper-level (and thus scarcely offered) class. And there were the desks, covered in graffiti, sometimes falling apart when their occupants least expected it. And the carpet in academic buildings, duct-taped together to make it through another semester. The last item may seem trivial, but it seems but it seems to set the tone for PASSHE’s level of academic commitment since Governor Corbett’s election and decimation of public education. For the last year of my time at MU, we had no library. An ACADEMIC INSTITUTION with no library. Digest that for a moment.”

-Molly Caldwell, Class of 2012

“I’m baffled by some of the administration staff at Millersville University and their lack of concern and understanding of the student body’s opinions and feelings regarding this years commencement speaker . The defense statement given for scheduling Governor Tom Corbett as the guest speaker at the Spring Commencement is to ‘demonstrate to the Governor and others what a fine University and its student are—a worthy investment by the State!’ Yes, we are indeed a worthy investment. But, do they think that by Corbett speaking at the ceremony that he will take back his decision to cut education funding and reallocate those funds back to the University? I highly doubt it.”

- Kiki Callaway, Class of 2013

“This is absolutely disgusting. All we are is a photo-shoot for him! And we look like fools in the process. By inviting him here we are condoning him slashing our budget. This is the same Corbett that we protested one short year ago. If this was my graduation – I would not walk, and it’s making me re-consider walking next year.”

-Emily Ahnert, Class of 2014

The Millersville Marauders deserve more than Tom Corbett as their commencement speaker.

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn’s Statement on Governor Corbett’s Announcement of A New Education Secretary

Today, Governor Corbett announced Dr. William Harner will take over as Pennsylvania’s new education secretary. Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn released the following statement regarding the announcement:

“Gov. Corbett’s budgets have ravaged Pennsylvania’s schools, forcing school districts to lay off teachers and cut vital programs and colleges to raise tuition. Gov. Corbett clearly does not prioritize education and his policies have hurt Pennsylvania. Gov. Corbett does not need new staffers, he needs new priorities and his recent budgets and policies have made it clear that his priorities have not changed. Gov. Corbett is still helping his donors at the expense of the middle class and Pennsylvania’s students.”

Tom Corbett’s education cuts are so extreme, even his newly appointed Education Secretary opposed them.

Governor Corbett’s Liquor Privatization Plot Is Losing Steam

NEPA Dems Speak Out Against Governor Corbett’s Agenda.

Last Friday State Senator John Blake, State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, and Jeff Ney,Vice President of PSEA’s Northeastern, spoke out against Gov. Corbett’s pension reform plan, Medicaid expansion, liquor privatization and Gov. Corbett’s anti-job policies that has caused Northeastern PA to have the highest unemployment rate in the state.

Governor Corbett Still Won’t Apologize For His Drug Comments

Governor Corbett Flip Flops On…The Use Of Statistics?

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn’s Statement on the Passing of Governor George Leader

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn released the following statement regarding Governor George Leader’s passing:

“Today, we remember the great life and leadership of Governor George Leader. Governor Leader was a progressive leader with a deep commitment to the people of Pennsylvania. He was a pioneer in modernizing state government and rooting out political corruption. He ensured that the Commonwealth was a leader in civil rights by fighting to protect its most vulnerable citizens during and after his time in the Governor’s office.

Governor George Leader was monumental in making Pennsylvania what it is today. We give our deepest condolences to his friends and family in Central Pennsylvania and across the Commonwealth.”

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Governor Corbett Flip Flops On…The Use Of Statistics?