Pennsylvania state budget wins mixed-to-negative reviews from area lawmakers
The $47.6 billion state budget for 2024-25 that was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro Thursday night has received mostly mixed-to-negative reviews from legislators in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties.
While some praised the additional spending in the budget for K-12 education, business tax cuts or permitting reforms, others characterized the plan as fiscally irresponsible.
“At a time when so many people are struggling with inflation, we should not be growing the cost of government,” said state Rep. Bud Cook, whose district includes all of Greene County and part of Washington County. Cook is a Republican, like all the other state lawmakers in the region, and said the budget spends $3.3 billion more than revenues the state expects to collect, and it will require using money from the surplus to balance the budget. He explained that “when that surplus runs out in the next two years or so, we will be faced with a significant increase in taxes. Our citizens simply cannot afford to send more of their hard-earned money to Harrisburg.”
His concerns were echoed by state Rep. Tim O’Neal, who represents parts of Washington County.
“There are a few things in this budget that are wins for Pennsylvanians, such as tax cuts for new businesses, minor permitting reforms and reforms to higher education,” O’Neal said, adding, “I do have concerns about the pace of increased spending. … This is not sustainable.”
State Rep. Ryan Warner, who represents a portion of Fayette County, said “Once again, the governor and House Democrats are ignoring the most basic rule of budgeting … you can’t spend more than you bring in.” State Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, whose district also includes parts of Fayette County, criticized the fact that the budget was finalized 11 days past the July 1 deadline.
“In each of my first two years in office, failed leadership has led to a budget impasse,” she said. “While I’m glad our chamber has finally passed something, there’s no excuse for not getting a deal done on time.”
The total spending figure in the budget is 6% more than last year’s $45.5 billion, and Grimm Krupa said the budget is “far too expensive.”
State Rep. Jason Ortitay, whose district includes portions of Washington and Allegheny counties, expressed disappointment that “no money in this state budget is allocated to help make sure our children can read.”
“As I have been advocating for several years, we need to help schools implement a strong, evidence-based reading program for children from kindergarten through third grade.” Ortitay continued. “Teaching children to read is one of the most important things we can do. … While I am extremely disappointed, I will continue to advocate on this important issue and hope the governor and more of my colleagues jump on board to see this as a priority.”
While the vote on the budget in the closely-divided House was mostly along party lines, with all Democrats and 20 Republicans voting for the budget, the verdict was more unanimous in the Republican-majority Senate, where just five members voted against it. State Sen. Patrick Stefano, whose district includes Fayette and Somerset counties and part of Westmoreland County, said he and his Republican colleagues “worked tirelessly to maintain fiscal responsibility, striving to spend less than the governor and House Democrats proposed.”
He also said, “I remain dedicated to identifying ways to rein in this substantial spending. Just like managing our own household budgets, the state must live within its means.”
State Sen. Devlin Robinson, whose district includes South Fayette, Upper St. Clair and other parts of southern Allegheny County, said, “We’ve approved a responsible 2024-25 state budget that focuses on job creation, economic growth and education without raising taxes. The plan adds $740 million to our Rainy Day Fund, securing Pennsylvania’s fiscal stability for the future.”
The budget does not increase income or sales taxes, the state’s two primary forms of revenue. Along with increases in education funding, the budget also boosts revenue to human services to cover pay increases for direct care workers. Shapiro said the budget was “responsible” and “focuses on job creation, economic growth and education without raising taxes.”