HARRISBURG – The Senate and House today passed a $50.1 billion state budget which Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) opposed, citing excessive spending and long-term fiscal concerns.
“As a small business owner myself, I know that in the real world you cannot continue to spend more than you take in without going bankrupt,” Gebhard said. “This budget will ultimately force extremely difficult decisions in the near future – either raising taxes on hardworking Pennsylvanians who are already struggling or making drastic cuts to essential state services. The time to get our fiscal house in order is now, not later.”
The $50.1 billion budget spends about $4 billion more than the state is expected to receive during the current fiscal year. At this rate, the commonwealth is projected to face a deficit of $6.8 billion by fiscal year 2027-28.
“While it’s certainly good news that Gov. Josh Shapiro has finally come to his senses and agreed to exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – essentially a $1 billion electricity tax on Pennsylvanians – it does not change the basic math,” he continued. “We cannot continue to grow recurring expenses and saddle future generations with the consequences of poor financial decisions.
“This budget is simply unsustainable, and I cannot support it.”
CONTACT: Alex Gamble