HARRISBURG – State Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) today said she has serious concerns about the $3.2 billion increase in spending included in the $48.3 billion state budget proposed today by Gov. Josh Shapiro during his address to the General Assembly.
“The budget the governor proposed today is outrageous and puts Pennsylvania on an unsustainable and dangerous path for the future,” Ward said. “Because of the fiscal responsibility championed by the Senate Republican Caucus, Pennsylvania has received better bond ratings and national recognition for the financial stability it has achieved. At a time of high inflation, rising prices and economic instability, state government must enact fiscally responsible policies to counteract those negative trends.”
The new spending includes more than $500 million in one-time federal stimulus funds. Including those dollars, the governor’s budget represents a 7.1% increase in spending.
According to the governor’s own projections, the proposed budget would spend more than $3.4 billion beyond what it expects to collect in revenue. This spending trajectory would cause Pennsylvania to almost completely exhaust the Rainy Day Fund in the next five years.
“The governor’s proposed budget needs work,” Ward said. “As we move through the budget negotiation process, we cannot just spend more money and expect different results. We must focus on wholistic solutions that create jobs, empower parents, and defend our freedoms. Pennsylvania needs to stop harmful policies like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax, advance helpful policies like the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program, and cut government red tape that hampers innovation and job creation.”
The Senate will hold a series of public hearings in the coming weeks to review the spending plan and produce a more responsible budget proposal that funds essential services while shielding taxpayers from the consequences of reckless overspending.
Residents can follow Ward on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenJudyWard and Twitter @SenatorJWard for news about legislation and the 30th Senate District. Contact information for her district offices and other information can be found on her website at SenatorJudyWard.com, and constituents also can sign up for her e-newsletter at SenatorJudyWard.com/enewsletters.
Contact: Nathan Akers
717-787-2421