HARRISBURG — Gov. Josh Shapiro continued his effort Tuesday to cut red tape and make it easier to work in Pennsylvania by creating a “money-back” guarantee for industries that require different professional licenses.
He kicked off his administration with a mostly symbolic executive action by cutting the requirement for four-year degrees for 92% of state government jobs, or approximately 65,000 positions. However, as of July, only about 135 of the state’s 2,600 job titles required a bachelor’s degree as part of their minimum experience requirements,. In 101 of those jobs, managers could accept experience and training as a substitute for a degree.
”This is about making the government more effective and efficient,” Shapiro said. “This is about customer service, giving the public the answers they deserve.” Shapiro can’t do much right now but take executive actions. Both the state House and Senate are in recess until Feb. 27. The House has three special elections next week to fill vacancies that will likely give Democrats a razor-thin majority. With the House Speaker Mark Rozzi until members reach an agreement on a two-year window for childhood sexual abuse survivors to file civil suit, the entire General Assembly is at a standstill.