2 weeks Ago By Laura Ulrich
Harrisburg, Pa. — Immediately following the release of Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget, several northcentral region representatives gave their two cents on where they'd like to see changes. Each of the Republicans' responses held a common theme of concern for the budget growing by about 7.
5% compared to the current year's. Some representatives shared nearly identical sentiments reflecting their suspicions of Shapiro's desire to compensate costs by taxing legal recreational cannabis and skill games. Each local official also wished to remind their constituents that the budget address is only the first step in creating the budget.
The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a three-week series of hearings starting the week of Feb. 17 to delve into the details of the governor’s proposal. A final spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year is due by June 30.
Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) feels as though he's already woken up to this proposal before. He offered the following response: “Sitting in the House chamber today, it felt like Groundhog Day.
Once again, the governor has outlined an exhaustive, and often misguided, wish list that spends far beyond what the people of this Commonwealth can afford – and one that would largely take our Commonwealth in the wrong direction. “While I wish the governor would launch the annual state budget process with an honest, realistic proposal, it is important to remember this is just his plan, not the final plan. It is now up to the House and Senate to examine the details of the governor’s ideas and put together a budget that will be more responsible and respectful of the taxpayers.
“Growing our spending by more than 7% when anticipated revenues for the next fiscal year are expected to grow by just 2.8% under the current tax structure is not going to set our families or employers up for success. So, the governor is proposing to spend the rest of the state’s surplus, dip into our state’s savings account again, AND implement new taxes on things like recreational marijuana and skill games.
Is that really the best way to help our Commonwealth thrive? “I would absolutely say no. Instead, growing our economy, and particularly our energy economy, would allow us to responsibly meet some of our shared objectives, such as support for both public education and education choice, public safety, rural connectivity and more. “We all want to see our citizens, our businesses and our communities thrive.
It is our responsibility as elected leaders to work together to achieve that goal for the Commonwealth.” Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) said he feels "cautiously optimistic" about the proposed budget, but wishes to call for "greater accountability in spending.
" He released the following statement: “I had hoped for more substantial investments that would truly benefit the people of our Commonwealth. The budget falls short of addressing the urgent needs of our communities, and it fails to provide the meaningful relief our taxpayers deserve.” “The proposed 7.
5% spending increase is unacceptable. We simply cannot afford to drain our General Fund Surplus at a time when fiscal responsibility is needed more than ever. “Taxpayers across our state are already feeling the strain, and this increase in government spending will only add to the burden they bear.
Now is not the time to increase spending – it’s the time to focus on efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that every dollar spent is serving the best interests of our residents. Like most of our families in Pennsylvania, we need to do more with less. “As Ronald Reagan once said, 'It's time to restore the perception that each person is accountable for their actions.
' This includes holding our government accountable for every dollar it spends and ensuring those dollars are spent wisely and effectively. “I remain cautiously optimistic, but I will continue to advocate for a budget that balances necessary investments with fiscal responsibility.” State Sen.
Gene Yaw (R-23) expressed similar concerns to his Republican colleagues, adding that the funding designated to Penn College is "not enough." Although the senator recently proposed a tax on skill games, he condemned Shapiro's 57% proposed tax rate, saying it would harm small businesses that rely on the revenue skill games bring: “I’m concerned about the governor’s excessive increase in state spending, his overly optimistic future revenue projections and wildly inaccurate future expenditure assumptions. Estimates show his proposal could eliminate the state’s Rainy Day Fund and create the need for a multi-billion-dollar tax increase on Pennsylvania families within a year and a half.
“Foremost, I’m disappointed in the lack of details surrounding a tangible plan for Pennsylvania’s energy sector, failing to address concerns over grid reliability and leaving ratepayers in the dark about their already rising utility costs. It is difficult to take seriously any statement from the governor claiming he wants to help ease the burden of rising costs and maintain Pennsylvania’s position as an energy powerhouse while he remains fixated on RGGI. Under RGGI, no baseload generation facility on the planet will consider doing business here.
“Revenue estimates show that over the next five years, Shapiro’s spending plan would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances. We have an opportunity before us to generate a possible $300 million in new revenue through legislation I sponsored to tax and regulate skill video games.
I strongly oppose the governor’s suggested 52% tax rate, which will lower revenue projections and impact thousands of small businesses who rely on the games to pay their staff, pay their bills, maintain their establishments and pay for donations that help their communities. In fact, the main victim of the governor’s skill proposal will be our veterans’ organizations such as VFWs and American Legions. “Lastly, while I’m pleased to see the governor propose additional funding for the Pennsylvania College of Technology to support technical education, workforce development and trade programs, quite frankly, it is not enough.
Penn College is setting the standard for quality education and technical training around the world, but many of their programs are beyond capacity and have waitlisted applicants. We need to reign in unnecessary spending and invest more dollars in these programs so that we can ensure we have workers ready to fill the jobs that are available. “Today’s proposal is only the first step in the process.
In the weeks ahead, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a series of hearings to closely examine the spending plan to determine how it can be improved.” Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s plan, including accusing a million "able-bodied" Pennsylvanians of being on Medicaid: “Gov.
Shapiro has turned away from the values that matter most to Pennsylvania families. Inflation is rising, costs are climbing, and the state is spending more than it can afford. We need to focus on fiscal responsibility, just like Pennsylvania families do every day.
“Yet, the governor's proposed budget includes a 7.5% increase in spending, while revenue collections are projected to grow by only 2.5%.
At $51.47 billion, this budget would wipe out the state's $2.89 billion surplus by the end of this fiscal year and would force us to dip into the Rainy Day Fund.
“The result will be higher taxes for Pennsylvania families — something that simply won’t work for our senior citizens on fixed incomes or for the future generations who will bear the burden. When we see how the governor is wasting taxpayer dollars, it's clear we’re not being fiscally responsible. We have an obligation to spend wisely and with common sense.
“For example, more than 1 million able-bodied adults are receiving Medicaid benefits, which is a clear sign of mismanaged spending. It’s not about spending more to waste more — it’s about making responsible choices that prioritize the well-being of the people of the Commonwealth.” Rep.
Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) expressed his worries pertaining to a bigger budget being proposed amidst growing costs of living: “To say I find the governor’s proposed spending amount alarming would be an understatement. If enacted, this plan would fully deplete the state’s surplus funds and would again dip into the Rainy Day Fund, as well as require revenue from new taxes on things like marijuana and skill games. The governor again wants to spend more than we bring in.
It is simply not sustainable. “There is a better way forward. First and foremost, we need to focus on funding the core functions of government.
That would include investments in things like education, rural health care, and public safety and emergency services. We should not be growing the size and cost of government when our families and businesses are struggling to balance their own budgets. “That said, there’s no question costs are on the rise.
Rather than further burdening our taxpayers to meet those rising costs, we must be focused on growing our economy, and growing our energy industry would be a great place to start. While Pennsylvania is already an energy powerhouse, we have the potential to be so much more if we can get government out of the way. “Ultimately, this is just the start of the state budget process, and we will assess the details of the governor’s plan in the weeks ahead.
As is always the case, I will again advocate for a budget that addresses the needs of our rural communities and respects the taxpayers who foot the bill.” Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) issued the following statement in reaction to the governor’s plan, claiming the proposed budget would increase inflation: “The reality is a lot of things in the governor’s budget proposal sound good.
They sound like things we would want to have in place in Pennsylvania. But the fact is, the governor is proposing a 7.5% increase in the state budget with a projected revenue increase of less than 3%.
That is simply unsustainable, and it will not work. Obviously, this spending plan has to be adjusted. “When I talk to people, I hear of their concerns about inflation.
Some of the proposals in his budget would just increase inflation further, which is something Pennsylvanians simply do not want and cannot have. They are also concerned about their health care and its accessibility, especially in our rural areas. “Another concern in our Northern Tier communities is energy.
The last thing we need to be doing is taxing our natural gas industry and tamping it down, which is something the governor has actually talked about. We must be certain the Commonwealth remains an energy leader and that we make energy in every form more affordable. “I look forward to the upcoming budget hearings, as they are vitally important.
We all need to be involved in going over the numbers and determining our spending priorities. I really appreciate all the things the governor brought forward in his address, but I do recognize there is a lot of work to be done to bring together an acceptable budget for Pennsylvania.” Rep.
Michael Stender (R-Montour/Northumberland) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s plan: “The governor’s address marks the beginning of Pennsylvania’s annual budget process, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues in the House to develop a responsible spending plan that propels our state forward without burdening taxpayers. “That said, I do have serious concerns about the governor’s proposal. His plan calls for a 7.
5% increase in spending, while revenue collections are only projected to grow by 2.5%. At $51.
47 billion, this budget would deplete our budget surplus of $2.89 billion by the end of this fiscal year and take money from our Rainy Day Fund as well. “The Commonwealth simply cannot sustain this level of aggressive spending.
I am hopeful we will see a more thorough analysis in the months ahead, which will allow us to make more informed and responsible decisions.”.
