CLARION, Pa., Nov. 12 – Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner paid a visit to Clarion University Thursday, Nov. 12.
Wagner took his time acknowledging local supporters when he entered the Science and Technology Center to talk about issues pertaining to students.
The discussion, sponsored by the Clarion Young Democrats, began with Wagner explaining what exactly an Auditor General does.

“Pennsylvania has a $28 billion budget. It’s my job to make sure it’s properly spent,” said Wagner.
The Auditor General provided an example that would hit home for any college student.
“Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) had the first audit in its 46-year history,” said Wagner.
What they found was not what students wanted to hear.
“We found $7.5 million in employee bonuses, which could have equaled up to 3,000 grants to college students,” said Wagner. Since the audit, “top management has changed; there are no more bonuses or extravagant trips,” said Wagner.
Problems have not just sprung up among higher education, but Pennsylvania’s public schools as well.
Wagner said that Philadelphia has a 50 percent dropout rate in grades nine through 12.
“Education has become an insulating factor to recessions. We want more educated people,” said Wagner.
The auditor general had more to offer than just sorry statistics. He spelled out the idea of the Helping Our Pupils Excel Scholarship Program.
“(HOPE) works quite well,” Wagner said. “It pays for tuition at the basic cost of that of a state school rate but can be applied to a private school too.”
There is a catch, but a fair one; students would have to maintain above a 2.5 GPA to qualify.
“The General Assembly wants to expand gaming. They should take that funding and apply it to the HOPE Scholarship,” said Wagner.
The use of Pennsylvania highways was another hot topic at Thursday’s discussion. Members from the audience asked Wagner whether Interstate 80 would become a toll road or not.
One member of the audience commented that if I-80 were to become a toll road, traffic on Route 322 would be a blow to the local economy. Clarion County has seven exits off I-80, the most exits in the state.
“There should be some accommodation for local residents who would make a daily commute, but out-of-state semis that don’t bring in any local revenue should be taxed fairly,” said Wagner.
Other audience members claimed local legislators have not been cultivating any solutions to this dilemma. Wagner responded with other suggestions pertaining to highway travel.
“The fairest solution is a gasoline tax,” said Wagner. “The bigger the gas guzzler, the more you pay in taxes. We should also enhance the Pennsylvania Turnpike instead of sell it. Make it the first multiple-fuel use highway.”
Wagner, who graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a safety management degree, also discussed more efficient railroad usage.
“It takes longer to get from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia now than it originally did,” said Wagner. “We’ve accepted (the likes of) traffic jams, and it’s an insult to our minds.”
High-speed trains were referenced from the audience. Wagner was the first to agree.
“We should be embracing these technologies as a country. There is no reason in the world why we should not be adopting these ideas, especially with airline travel on the decline,” he said.
Wagner then voiced hispersonal disappointment with state voters; Pennsylvania had a 21 percent turnout on the Nov. 3 election.
“All of you (students) have had an impact in previous elections. When you disagree with government, speak up. Write the president, the governor; stay involved in the process,” said Wagner.
He said the Clarion Young Democrats, named the best chapter in Pennsylvania, is a good outlet to start being active in the political process.
The auditor general is gearing up for the governor’s race in 2010. Wagner will be running against fellow Democrats Chris Doherty, Joe Hoeffel, Tom Knox and Dan Onorato. Republican candidates are Tom Corbett and Jim Gerlach, while Rich Gordon will represent the Independent ticket.
“The future is in your hands more than mine,” said Wagner. “I believe Pennsylvania has not reached its full potential. But it can.”