Senator Vogel and Rep. Bernstine Each Address The 2024-25 Pennsylvania $47.6B Budget

Reaction poured in from many Thursday evening after the passing of Pennsylvania state budget.

The $47.6 million plan is a 6% percent increase over last year’s approved spending and was approved nearly two weeks into the fiscal year.

Vogel: 2024-25 State Budget is Pro-Growth, Pro-Jobs and Pro-Families

HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved a 2024-25 state budget that respects taxpayers, expands opportunities for Pennsylvania families, and increases educational opportunities in a responsible way, according to Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47).

“As a caucus, we have stood firm throughout the budget process that this budget would need to reflect a pro-growth, pro-jobs and pro-family strategy while also maintaining fiscal responsibility – the final product we achieved does just that,” Vogel said.

The $47.59 billion spending plan not only cut $740 million from the governor’s initial proposal, it adds that same amount to the state Rainy Day Fund, bringing that fund’s grand total to $7 billion, which is above the national average.

In continuing to break down barriers that previously hindered job growth in the commonwealth, this budget includes creating the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program, putting $400 million toward the PA Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program, and further phases down the Corporate Net Income Tax.

Vogel said that in maintaining our focus in providing our students supportive resources, empowering parents in their children’s education, and improving our approach to educational needs, the spending plan reflects the following education investments:

• $1 billion in new funding for K-12 schools.
• $100 million increase in Special Education funding.
• $25 million increase in Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding.
• $5 million increase in CTE equipment grants.
• $100 million cyber charter reimbursement for school districts.
• $34.5 million reduction in cyber charter school special education costs.
• $75 million increase in Educational Improvement Tax Credit funding.
• $100 million for addressing school safety/security needs and mental health concerns.

On the agricultural front, funding was provided to help deal with the threat of avian influenza, establish a new western animal diagnostics lab, and $10 million was dedicated to a new Agricultural Innovation and Development program focusing on providing farmers and agribusinesses with the resources to adopt new technological practices.

“Overall, this budget was crafted with the express intent of expanding Pennsylvania jobs, providing more opportunities for Pennsylvanians to plant their roots, and better addressing the current economic and demographic challenges we face – all to create a brighter future for our children and grandchildren,” Vogel said.

Bernstine: State Budget “Worst Budget He’s Seen,” Votes No

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today issued the following statement regarding his negative vote on the fiscal year 2024-25 state budget.

“This is the worst budget I’ve seen since I came to Harrisburg, and it was once again easy to vote HECK NO. Any politician who voted for this budget should be absolutely ashamed of themselves because they did so knowing full well it will require tax hikes by next year.

“It’s a budget that puts politicians first and Pennsylvanians last. It spends nearly $50 billion in taxpayer money, which is a 5.9% increase over last year’s budget, while Pennsylvania taxpayers are struggling to pay for their gas, utility bills and groceries. I would guarantee most Pennsylvania taxpayers didn’t get a 5.9% raise this year; why should Harrisburg?

“Parents know what is best for their children. Sadly, House Democrats and Gov. Josh Shapiro believe they know what is best for your children, so they blocked all meaningful school choice expansion in this budget while at the same time sending $1.3 billion more to public schools, which already spend $22,000 per-student annually. The system is broken when students at 30 schools do not have a single student testing proficient in mathematics. Parents want options for their children, especially those trapped in failing public schools.”