Mar. 07, 2023
HARRISBURG – Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $45.8 billion budget proposal would continue untenable levels of spending, depleting the Commonwealth of its billions in reserves in just a few years, Rep. Perry Stambaugh (R-Perry/Juniata) said after the governor presented his plan to the General Assembly today.
Shapiro’s budget blueprint calls for 5.9 percent spending increase from the current year.
“Families in the 86th District and across the state are contending every day with out-of-control inflation and soaring utility bills,” Stambaugh said. “If households can find ways to balance their own budgets, the state needs to do the same.”
Stambaugh noted the state Independent Fiscal Office forecasts Pennsylvania budget deficits in the near term: a $1.67 billion shortfall in 2023-24, $2.4 billion in 2024-25, and more than $3 billion annually after that. And those numbers may climb if the economy slides into a sustained recession.
“Our current approach to fiscal policy in Pennsylvania remains terribly shortsighted and not sustainable,” Stambaugh added. “We’ll certainly be facing a tax hike by 2026 unless we take steps to reduce spending and adopt policies that boost jobs and economic growth.”
The governor’s presentation represents a starting point on budget discussions. The state budget must be in place by July 1.
Representative Perry Stambaugh
86th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6335
jfitch@pahousegop.com
Repperrystambaugh.com