
HARRISBURG – Senate Republicans will closely examine Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget plan during the next several months to find improvements that will ensure greater long-term fiscal stability for the Commonwealth, according to Senator Culver.
The $51.5 billion budget plan Shapiro presented to the legislature today would increase state spending by $3.6 billion, an increase of 7.5% over the current year’s budget.
Senate Republicans raised concerns that the governor’s future revenue projections and future expenditure assumptions could eliminate the state’s emergency savings (also known as the Rainy Day Fund) and create the need for a multi-billion-dollar tax increase on Pennsylvania families within a year and a half.
During the next five years, using realistic spending and revenue estimates, Shapiro’s spending plans would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances, Senate Republicans said.
Senator Culver said “We’ll be reviewing the plan carefully, especially revenue and spending projections, to ensure fiscal stability. Addressing the projected deficit and responsible spending are key. Our goal is to improve this budget for all Pennsylvanians.”
The bulk of the new spending – about $2 billion – is proposed for human services programs. The budget also proposes to increase funding for Basic Education Funding by $75 million and the Ready-to-Learn Block Grant Program by $526 million.
The plan also includes level funding of $25 million for the Grow PA program championed by Senate Republicans in last year’s budget to help more young people attend college and complete job training programs to meet the needs of Pennsylvania’s workforce.
For the third consecutive year, Shapiro did not include funding for Lifeline Scholarships or the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success program to help children in failing schools explore different educational options in an environment that better suits their needs.
The governor’s budget plan also did not include any new revenues or expenditures related to his new “Lightning” energy plan, leaving Pennsylvanians in the dark about how it would impact their household budgets, grid reliability or the state’s finances.
Shapiro’s budget address is only the first step in the process. In the weeks ahead, the Appropriations Committee will hold a series of hearings to closely examine the details of his spending plan. The hearings will begin Feb. 18 and run through March 6.
Contact: Sam Clepper