POLITICS: Many In Office React To Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

Governor Josh Shapiro presented his 2024-25 budget proposal to the General Assembly and to the people of Pennsylvania on Tuesday – sharing his ‘get stuff done’ approach and vision to create more opportunity and continue delivering real solutions to the most pressing issues Pennsylvanians face according to his website.

In a press release, he states by prioritizing economic opportunity and access to higher education, making historic investments in public education, supporting law enforcement and public safety, ensuring people receive the care they need, and funding critical initiatives to help Pennsylvanians from our cities to our farmlands – this budget will deliver real results for the Commonwealth. [VIEW FULL PRESS RELEASE]

Bernstine Says Governor’s Budget Proposal is a ‘Liberal Wish List’

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s address on his proposed $48.34 billion state budget proposal.

“The governor’s nearly $50 billion budget proposal is nothing more than an extreme liberal wish list that will cost hardworking taxpayers a fortune.

“His plan is a copy-paste version of the Bidenomics that are destroying our economy. From Philadelphia mass transit bailouts to doubling the minimum wage, Gov. Shapiro wants Pennsylvania to be just like California, which is where his campaign donations originate.

“We should be cutting wasteful spending and saving money for a rainy day, not setting up taxpayers for a tidal wave of massive tax hikes.”

Vogel: Gov. Shapiro’s Record-Spending Budget Proposal Puts PA in a Difficult Position for the Future

HARRISBURG – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) released the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 state budget address:

“The governor has shown blatant disregard toward Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars as he bolstered his record-spending, $48.3 billion budget proposal – all while not sharing how he plans to pay for these increases and putting our commonwealth in a difficult position when approaching balancing future state budgets.

Senator Elder Vogel (R-47)

“With our communities already experiencing financial hardships due to high costs and inflation, what the governor is proposing would continue to burden Pennsylvanians and our employers with potential future program cuts and broad-based tax increases.

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and an advocate for fiscal responsibility, I remain committed to joining my Senate colleagues in examining the governor’s budget proposal more closely and help create more efficient solutions that would enable us to continue to protect Pennsylvania jobs and empower Pennsylvania families while being mindful of how we spend their hard-earned money.”

Additional budget comments made by Vogel can be viewed here.

Click here to view Senate Republican Leadership budget response.

The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee will begin their budget hearings on Tuesday, February 20, at 9 a.m., starting with the Independent Fiscal Office. The full Senate budget hearing schedule can be viewed here.

The Governor Has No Clothes, Says Kail in Response to Budget Address

HARRISBURG – Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) issued the following statement in response to today’s budget address by Gov. Josh Shapiro:

“Students are trapped in failing schools. Energy costs are at risk of skyrocketing. Businesses are desperate for an improved tax climate. Permitting reform is well overdue. As much as the people of Pennsylvania deserve cohesion among government officials, to praise the governor’s budget proposal would be an endorsement of deception. The governor has no clothes. His plan is all talk, and no action.

“House Republicans are no longer waiting around for Gov. Shapiro. That’s why we’ve already introduced legislation that will bring jobs to Pennsylvania by fostering a better business environment and cutting through burdensome bureaucracy. We’ve secured resources for critical educational opportunities. We’ll be tackling the unfair tax system next.

“House Republicans will continue to take action, traveling throughout this great Commonwealth and fighting for the issues that matter most to our hard-working families. We are committed to bringing HOPE, and a governor without clothes won’t stop us.”

Brown Reacts to Governor’s Budget Address

HARRISBURG – Following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s annual budget address today to a joint session of the House and Senate, Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) issued the following statement:

“The governor is proposing a $48.34 billion budget, which is an increase of $3.7 billion over the current fiscal year. This will cost hardworking taxpayers a fortune. More government spending equals higher taxes.

“Responsible budgeting is crucial to ensuring the long-term financial health of our state, and it requires a balanced spending plan with saving and investing in the future. I have supported our Rainy Day Fund, which is now at $8 billion, to help address any future economic downturns. This budget will deplete that fund within four years.

“The governor’s budget proposal completely reverses the past efforts of the House Republican Caucus over the last several years. Those efforts have been building the balance in the Rainy Day Fund; bringing future Commonwealth spending in line with state revenues; and avoiding the practice of deficit spending.

“The budget proposal aims to do some great things, such as an increase in funding for education, fire and emergency medical services personnel, state police and senior citizens programs. However, we can’t spend more than we take in. Our families cannot afford it.”

The governor’s address is just the beginning of the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings to examine the details of the governor’s plan and how state agencies are spending their funding. The hearings begin Tuesday, Feb. 20.