Feb. 05, 2025
HARRISBURG - Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) attended a joint session of the General Assembly at which Gov. Josh Shapiro presented his budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Leadbeter issued the following statement in response to the governor’s plan:
“Gov. Shapiro has turned away from the values that matter most to Pennsylvania families. Inflation is rising, costs are climbing, and the state is spending more than it can afford. We need to focus on fiscal responsibility, just like Pennsylvania families do every day.
“Yet, the governor's proposed budget includes a 7.5% increase in spending, while revenue collections are projected to grow by only 2.5%. At $51.47 billion, this budget would wipe out the state's $2.89 billion surplus by the end of this fiscal year and would force us to dip into the Rainy Day Fund.
“The result will be higher taxes for Pennsylvania families – something that simply won’t work for our senior citizens on fixed incomes or for the future generations who will bear the burden. When we see how the governor is wasting taxpayer dollars, it's clear we’re not being fiscally responsible. We have an obligation to spend wisely and with common sense.
“For example, more than 1 million able-bodied adults are receiving Medicaid benefits, which is a clear sign of mismanaged spending. It’s not about spending more to waste more – it’s about making responsible choices that prioritize the well-being of the people of the Commonwealth.”
The governor’s address is just the beginning of the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, to examine the details of the governor’s plan and how state departments and agencies are spending their funding. The General Assembly and governor face a June 30 deadline to finalize the budget.
Representative Robert Leadbeter
109th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Huntre Keip
717-772-9837
Hkeip@pahousegop.com
RepLeadbeter.com