West Central PA News

Senate Republicans in Pennsylvania are set to scrutinize Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The plan, which amounts to $51.5 billion, represents a 7.5% increase over the current year's budget. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin have expressed concerns about the feasibility of Shapiro's financial projections.

Ward criticized the governor's spending approach, stating, "Gov. Shapiro has a huge appetite for spending as evidenced in his first two budgets, and this budget is no exception." She added that Shapiro is relying on non-existent funding streams and reallocating existing funds while depleting surplus reserves.

Pittman emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility: "Our Senate Republican Caucus is always very honest with Pennsylvanians about the fiscal realities we’re dealing with." He stressed that state expenditure should not exceed revenue on a recurring basis and highlighted the importance of addressing structural deficits.

Martin echoed these sentiments by pointing out what he sees as unrealistic assumptions in Shapiro's budget: "Pennsylvania needs to get real about the financial challenges we face." He argued against burdening taxpayers with a projected $27 billion deficit over five years due to what he termed as "bad math."

The proposed budget allocates approximately $2 billion for human services programs and suggests increases in funding for education initiatives such as Basic Education Funding and the Ready-to-Learn Block Grant Program. However, it maintains level funding for the Grow PA program at $25 million.

Notably absent from Shapiro's proposal are allocations for Lifeline Scholarships or the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success program aimed at aiding students in underperforming schools. Additionally, there are no new revenues or expenditures related to his "Lightning" energy plan.

As part of their oversight role, Senate Republicans will conduct hearings through their Appropriations Committee from February 18 to March 6 to assess potential improvements to Shapiro’s budget plan.