Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly representing Berks County had mixed reactions to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s inaugural budget address.
Here’s what they had to say:
Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat
“I heard a governor who gets it, who understands what the real people of Pennsylvania are facing through the experiences he’s had as a member of the Legislature and as a county commissioner. And it’s time that we have a budget that actually addresses those issues in a very pragmatic way.
Starting with education, this budget will allow us to make the important investments in early education. There’s a reason why business leaders and district attorneys come together and say you’ve got to invest in early learning because that’s where we build the foundation for our children. Our citizens know that we need to make sure we invest in that as well.
We heard him talk about child care. Let’s not forget about those child care workers, making a wage that they can’t even live on. No wonder there is such high turnover in that field. We need to invest in them as well if we really want to support the working people of Pennsylvania.
This budget is going to put funding into a universal breakfast program. Our kids can’t learn if they are hungry. All of them, not just low-income kids but all kids, may not have the opportunity to have breakfast. I am so pleased that the governor recognizes that and will also look at reduced lunches. I hope that as a Legislature that we get universal free breakfast and free lunch for every student in this commonwealth.
I heard the focus on mental health, on the fact that we need to make sure that we fund that 988 suicide hotline. To make sure that we look from early ages all the way to adults to folks in our jails who should not be there because they have a mental health condition. We have to invest in mental health. The governor understands that.
And dear to my heart and the hearts of my fellow colleagues in the Women’s Health Caucus, the fact that the governor would take the time to say that he’s going to invest $2.3 million in maternal mortality and morbidity. An issue that we’ve been talking about for years. It is shameful and disgraceful that in this commonwealth and in this country women of color are facing such serious issues, possibly death, as a result of childbirth. That should not be happening in our country and we are going to start making a difference here in the commonwealth.
And, of course, to the property tax and rent rebate program. The ability to help more people, to put them in this program, to make sure they’re not hit by inflation and to make sure that they get a bigger rebate. Imagine how they are going to feel when they get those tax bills and understand that part of that has been paid because the commonwealth undertands that this is an issue they face and we want to keep them in their homes.
As I was listening to Gov. Shapiro’s address today, I really believe what he said about coming to consensus. He has given us a charge. He’s said we need to do it differently, you need to hear what people are telling you that they don’t want all this partisan stuff. All of us have heard enough of that over the past months. We know we need to deliver. We must deliver.”
Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, a Montgomery County Republican
“After hearing the governor’s budget address, I believe there are many areas where we will find common ground and some significant places where continued work is needed.
I was pleased that the governor chose to support several important family and senior centric programs. I would have liked to have seen renewed commitment towards the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program to ensure that children have additional avenues to obtain a high-quality education.
I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and the governor to deliver a budget that makes it easier to do business in Pennsylvania, protects our most vulnerable and puts families first.”
Sen. Katie Muth, a Montgomery County Democrat
“Although I was relieved to hear about the potential SNAP funding and the free breakfast and lunch program expansion, I am eager to review the details of the full proposal — the devil is always in the details here in Harrisburg.”
Sen. Scott Martin, a Lancaster County Republican
“For years, Senate Republicans have worked hard to create responsible budgets and attract and retain quality jobs throughout the state. While Gov. Shapiro gave us a more realistic starting point than in years past, I still have concerns about the level of spending in this budget and the draining of the Rainy Day Fund in future years.
We cannot spend more money than we’re taking in. We should be looking for ways to build up our Rainy Day Fund — not empty it.
Also, his budget acknowledges $600 million coming from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. That is tantamount to a $600 million increase in the cost of electricity to every consumer in this commonwealth. He can’t call this a no-new-taxes budget if he’s raising energy costs on consumers and job creators.”
Sen. Chris Gebhard, a Lebanon County Republican
“It’s common knowledge that Pennsylvania is not as business friendly as states we compete with on the national stage. Our unpredictable permitting process and unattractive tax structure deter employers from locating and expanding in the commonwealth. As a result, Pennsylvanians miss out on family-sustaining jobs, and the commonwealth misses out on that additional revenue generated by those employers and employees.
While I am appreciative of the governor’s call to speed up the Corporate Net Income Tax reduction plan, I am disappointed Gov. Shapiro has not yet reversed the plan for Pennsylvania to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which will be a step in the right direction to improve our business climate and lower energy costs for our citizens. In addition to preventing energy sector job growth, this carbon tax, which is being held over from the Wolf administration, will cost our citizens more than $660 million.
Especially considering the record high inflation and difficult financial struggles faced by so many Pennsylvania families as the cost of food and gas skyrocket, we must exercise some fiscal restraint. We can’t keep spending tax dollars at the same rate knowing revenue shortcomings are on the horizon. Today’s announced spending plan would eliminate our Rainy Day reserves by the end of his first term in office.
Education funding, particularly for the state’s poorest school districts, is also important, so I appreciate the governor highlighting this priority. Pennsylvania’s children deserve to have access to a quality education, no matter where they live. A strong education will give them the foundation needed to secure their own good-paying jobs down the road – a benefit to themselves and the commonwealth.
Secure elections would be another benefit to the state. Pennsylvanians deserve to have faith in our voting process, so I hope Gov. Shapiro is prepared to support commonsense voter identification requirements. Voter ID has broad support from both Republicans and Democrats with the majority of the state’s residents favoring it; there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to enact a voter ID law.”
Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, a Reading Democrat
“I am really excited to work with Gov. Shapiro on his first budget proposal. I eagerly anticipate the economic growth of the state, as this plan covers critical focus areas of the commonwealth infrastructure.
And as we head into budget negotiations, I am committed to ensure that our public schools are supported and properly funded. I am pleased to see that there is a strong approach from his administration to address the major issues affecting our state.”
Rep. David Maloney, a Pike Township Republican
“Pennsylvania still lacks a chief executive who is willing to lead on the biggest issue in the commonwealth — school property taxes. In the 12 years I have been in office, the budget has ballooned from $27.3 billion to a proposed $45.8 billion this year, more than enough money and time to eliminate property taxes on our homes, which is what the people voted for overwhelmingly. Education is the single largest line item in any Pennsylvania budget, but property taxes and education are inextricably linked.
Commonwealth Court recently issued a 789-page decision that Pennsylvania’s education funding is unconstitutional, and I agree. Philosopher John Locke, whose ideas the Founding Fathers relied heavily on when drafting the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, wrote ‘no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.’
Property rights are at the core of this country’s founding. It is a national shame that the state which began this nation forces people to rent their homes for life.”
Rep. Mark Gillen, a Robeson Township Republican
“As a chairman of the House Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I support the additional law enforcement investment allocated to add hundreds of Pennsylvania State Troopers. Our veterans deserve the best in elder care, and I endorse the proposal for an additional 10% going to support our Commonwealth Veterans Homes.
As an educator, I have consistently voted for increases in education funding for Pre-K Counts through higher education.
Additionally, as an economic principle we must not spend our reserve funds that exist for emergencies and economic downturns. The governor’s spend numbers across the budget would eventually create deficits.”
State Reps. Jamie Barton, Manny Guzman, Barry Jozwiak and Mark Rozzi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
