Local legislators react to Shapiro’s budget proposal

It increases spending by 5.4% and calls for the legalization of recreational marijuana use.

Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his $53.3 billion budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year Tuesday in a joint session of the state House and Senate.

Shapiro’s budget would use nearly $4.6 billion — or more than half — of the state’s largest reserve fund to bring it into balance. The budget would increase spending by $2.7 billion, a 5.4% rise over the current year.

The governor’s address is the beginning of the annual budgetary process. The budget will be thoroughly analyzed during three weeks of House appropriations hearings beginning Feb. 23.

Shapiro stated Tuesday that his budget will continue “historic investments” in education, workforce development, public safety and economic growth.

“This budget builds on the progress we’ve made by making smart, responsible investments that strengthen our schools, keep communities safe and grow our economy,” Shapiro said. “At a time when dysfunction and division seem to dominate elsewhere, here in Pennsylvania we’ve shown that we can still work together to get stuff done and build on what’s working — because Pennsylvania is on the rise.”

A release from the governor’s office states that Pennsylvania has collected $417 million above revenue projections so far this fiscal year. Shapiro’s proposed budget does not include a tax increase and does not rely on any broad-based tax increase over the next five years.

There is also a focus on education, housing, economic development and community safety.

The proposed budget secures funding for police officers, expands violence intervention programs, protects the Rainy Day Fund, modernizes Pennsylvania’s revenue structure, regulates skill games, legalizes recreational cannabis use for adults and more.

Proponents

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis expressed support for Shapiro’s budget, pointing out that it invests in afterschool programs, community organizations addressing gun violence, early childhood education and child care and provides support for victims of crime.

“This budget builds on real progress by staying focused on the people we serve,” Davis said. “These investments will give every Pennsylvanian the tools to succeed today and build a stronger future.”

State Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-McKeesport, escorted the governor into the House chambers for his budget address Tuesday.

He added that the budget “hit the right notes” on affordability, public safety, education and jobs with no broad-based tax increases.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and the governor to finalize a budget that helps working families, schools, vital services and our economy,” Goughnour said.

State Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, said investments in economic development, the governor’s commitment to public education and transportation funding are all essential parts of the budget.

Pisciottano stated that under the governor’s plan, schools in the 45th district are expected to receive an additional $15 million in funding, helping to close inequities and ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

“I’m looking forward to working with colleagues in both parties to deliver a budget that is responsible, transparent and centered on results,” Pisciottano said. “That means committing to fully and fairly funding public education, strengthening workforce development and investing in transportation and infrastructure that connect people to jobs and keep our region competitive.”

State Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth Township, supports Shapiro’s proposal for the creation of safeguards and protections for artificial intelligence use. He said studies show that 30% of teens use AI chatbots daily.

The goal is to protect children, seniors and vulnerable Pennsylvanians from the risks posed by unregulated AI along while creating a clear guidance for safe AI use, reinforcing human judgment and expanding digital literacy for students, parents, caregivers and professionals, according to the governor’s website.

“There are some significant issues with that,” Kuzma said. “I look forward to working with (Shapiro) on legislation that protects kids from AI. The other thing that he mentioned that really resonated and hit home for me, being a parent myself, was banning cell phones in classrooms. That is something that we’ve needed for 20 years.”

Money, money, money

Many Republican legislators, however, believe there’s too much spending in Shapiro’s proposal.

They object to using the Rainy Day Fund to balance the proposed spending plan, which is 6.3% larger than the current budget. Pennsylvania is projected to end this fiscal year with $7.7 billion in the reserve fund, the state’s Independent Fiscal Office reported late last month.

Shapiro said he wants to find ways to help make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians who are concerned about the high costs of housing, utilities, health care and other everyday expenses.

He proposes creating a $1 billion critical infrastructure fund to issue bonds that would support housing construction, improvements and other critical infrastructure needs across the state.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, said this is Shapiro’s fourth budget that spends more than Pennsylvania takes in.

She added that the budget is also contingent on “non-existent revenue streams” and it “guarantees a massive tax increase” next year.

“It is essential that we put the interest and needs of Pennsylvanians first and continue to build on our work started in last year’s budget,” Ward said. “Senate Republicans will be fiscally responsible on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania as our families, our economy and our future depend on it.”

State Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run Township, said Shapiro is proposing a budget that “overspends, overcommits” and overlooks the need for fiscal responsibility.

Cook said Shapiro is relying on balancing the budget by taxing skill games, legalizing recreational marijuana and increasing the minimum wage.

“We need to be looking at policies that unleash Pennsylvania’s energy sector, which is vital to the 50th District,” Cook said. “We have the potential to fully use the abundant energy resources under our feet to create jobs, lower costs and strengthen our economy.

“Shapiro’s proposal is just the starting point, and I’m committed to fighting against reckless spending while working to ensure Pennsylvania lives within its means.”

State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, who represents Fayette, Somerset and part of Westmoreland County, also agreed that the rate of spending would take money out of the pockets of taxpayers.

In a press release, Stefano cited the growth in spending primarily from the Department of Human Services, which has nearly a $1.4 billion increase; the Department of Education, which is would get more than a $900 million increase; and the Department of Corrections, which would increase by $140 million despite the closure of two state correctional facilities.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, every February feels like Groundhog Day,” Stefano said. “Year after year we receive the same trite speech full of promises and total disregard for reality. Words only get us so far. Instead of recycled talking points, we should be focused on the Independent Fiscal Office’s projections and the looming structural deficit that threatens Pennsylvania’s future.”

Other issues

While Kuzma agrees with some things in Shapiro’s budget, he doesn’t support the legalization of marijuana.

Shapiro aims to legalize recreational marijuana by July 1 with sales beginning by Jan. 1, 2027. His office estimates that doing so could generate $729.4 million for the state in the 2026-27 fiscal year, with $659.6 million coming from license fees, $36.9 million coming from an adult use cannabis tax and $32.9 million coming from sales and use taxes on cannabis sales.

“Some legislators out in Harrisburg believe if we legalize recreational marijuana that somehow that will help cure our budget deficit if we are able to tax it,” Kuzma said. “I think the problem with that mindset is oftentimes legislators and people look at the immediate gain, but they don’t look at the overall loss.”

Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton, said the budget address wasn’t about Pennsylvania families, but rather a national campaign speech for Shapiro aimed at 2028.

Davanzo added that his district is “feeling the real consequences” of Harrisburg’s failed policies like “out-of-control” utility prices from failed energy policy, which he said also threatens local jobs in energy and industry.

“Meanwhile, his newest budget proposal is no different than his first four. It grows the government, expands bureaucracy and prioritizes political theater over the needs of working families,” Davanzo said.

“Pennsylvanians in the 58th don’t need a national audition — they need leaders who will fight for affordable energy, protect jobs and hold Harrisburg accountable. Pennsylvanians have had enough excuses and empty promises. It’s time for results, not rhetoric.”

Shapiro and lawmakers in the House and Senate plan to meet today to begin discussing the budget. More on the proposed budget can be found at https://www.pa.gov/governor.

Local principal on hand

Rachel Nagy, elementary principal in the California Area School District, was an invited guest at Shapiro’s address.

“Adequacy funding is not just another funding source, it is a powerful tool that allows responsible school districts to build on opportunities, close gaps, and deliver real outcomes for students,” Nagy said. “At California Area School District, adequacy funding has made a tremendous difference and we are deeply grateful.”