Governor Josh Shapiro Visits Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Praising Its Community-Minded Approach to Legal Education
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro chose Widener University Commonwealth Law School as the site of a statewide announcement Monday, Nov. 17, using the visit to highlight the law school’s role in preparing students to serve their communities.
Speaking in the Deans’ Gallery before students, faculty, and community partners, Shapiro opened his remarks with an unscripted nod to the campus.
“This is a phenomenal law school,” he told the room after asking Widener students to raise their hands. “Not just because of what you learn in the classroom, but because of the way in which your president, your dean, and the leaders here encourage you to think outside the classroom.”
Shapiro pointed to Widener Commonwealth’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which partners with the United Way of the Capital Region, as a clear example of that mission. The clinic is staffed by law students who prepare tax returns at no cost for low-income residents in Dauphin County each year.
“I think this program is a great example of that. Of utilizing the unique skills you’re developing as young lawyers to go out and help the community,” Shapiro said. “As a lawyer, I believe that is our calling, to go out and use the law to help others.”
The Governor, joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Senator Patty Kim, and local legislators, chose the law school as the place to highlight a newly enacted Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit. The credit was included in the 2025–26 state budget he signed earlier in November and is modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
Under the new program, anyone who qualifies for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit will automatically receive a state credit equal to ten percent of the federal amount. The administration estimates the change will provide about $193 million dollars in relief to roughly 940,000 Pennsylvanians beginning next tax season.
For Widener Law Commonwealth students who volunteer in the clinic, the policy change means even greater impact for the residents they assist.
Heidi Neuhaus, director of the Volunteer Center at the United Way of the Capital Region, opened the program by thanking Widener Commonwealth for hosting and noted that the law school’s clinic is part of a network of 20 VITA sites that prepared more than 4,500 federal returns last year.
Shapiro closed by encouraging students to stay committed to serving the public long after they leave campus.
“Keep it up, and let us know how we can support your mission to serve others around our communities,” he said.
