HARRISBURG – Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) today voted in support of a fiscally responsible state budget that protects taxpayers, promotes job growth and affordability, avoids tax increases on Pennsylvania families, and preserves the commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund.
“Today, I voted for a responsible spending plan that protects taxpayers, preserves our Rainy Day Fund and helps secure Pennsylvania’s economic future,” said Ward. “Due to the Senate Republicans, this budget puts Pennsylvania on a more sustainable path. By increasing funding for road projects, our rural communities will be better equipped to maintain critical infrastructure for years to come.”
In February, the governor proposed a budget that would have increased state spending by $2.7 billion and drawn approximately $4.6 billion from the commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund. His proposal would have placed Pennsylvania on an unsustainable fiscal path and likely required significant tax increases on Pennsylvanians in the near future.
The final budget negotiated by Senate Republicans reduces the governor’s proposed spending by more than $1.1 billion while preserving the Rainy Day Fund. The budget puts the commonwealth on a more sustainable financial footing and helps avoid potential bond rating downgrades and higher borrowing costs.
Over the past two years, Senate Republicans have also worked to reclaim $4.5 billion from prior-year budgets, special funds and other accounts, ensuring those dollars are available to support essential government services rather than remaining unused.
The budget also improves efficiency and accountability at PennDOT by requiring the department to direct an additional $775 million from the Motor License Fund toward road projects. It also increases transparency by requiring clear reporting of funds owed to transit agencies through the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
Senate Republicans successfully secured an additional $12 million for rape crisis centers, nearly doubling state funding compared to the previous year.
The budget provides a $565 million increase for the Ready to Learn Block Grant program, a $58 million increase for Basic Education Funding, and an additional $55 million for special education.
The plan also maintains funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program and rejects legislative changes proposed by House Democrats that would have reduced scholarship opportunities for students and limited future contributions to the program.
Additionally, the budget includes $10 million in new funding for Grow PA, a workforce development initiative created by Senate Republicans. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 to students pursuing postsecondary education or workforce training in high-demand fields in Pennsylvania. In return, participants commit to living and working in the commonwealth after graduation, helping address Pennsylvania’s long-term workforce and demographic challenges.
The budget also includes a $10 million increase for Career and Technical Education, while restoring $15 million to a key Workforce Development line item that the governor had proposed eliminating.
Long-term care providers will receive rate increases under the budget, and additional funding is included to support Pennsylvania’s nursing homes.