Mar. 07, 2023
HARRISBURG – Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) offered the following response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget address to the General Assembly. The governor is proposing a $45.8 billion spending plan that represents a $2.5 billion, or 5.9%, increase over the current year’s spending.
“With people across the Northern Tier struggling under the weight of inflation, we need a state budget that really focuses on funding the core functions of government and leaves out the new programs that increase the size and cost of government.
“Unfortunately, while this budget does include new investments in education, public safety and other key issues, it proposes significant amounts of new spending that will eviscerate the nearly $13 billion in budgetary reserve and the Rainy Day Fund. This is money we’ve worked hard to save in recent years so that we would be prepared to handle emergencies or a plummeting economy without having to burden taxpayers. With financial turbulence predicted to continue and perhaps worsen, it would be irresponsible to use this funding for anything other than a safety net for the people of Pennsylvania.
“As we work our way through the budget negotiation process, we are sure to find common ground on some of the governor’s initiatives. We look forward to adopting a final budget that will help meet the needs of all Pennsylvanians, and especially those who live and work in the Northern Tier.”
Click here to watch further comment from Rep. Pickett.
Click here to watch further comment from Rep. Owlett.
The governor’s budget address serves as the first step in the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee, on which Owlett serves, will conduct a series of hearings starting the week of March 20 to delve into the details of the budget. A final spending plan for the 2023-24 fiscal year is due by June 30.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th Legislative District
RepPickett.com /
Facebook.com/RepPickett
Representative Clint Owlett
68th Legislative District
RepOwlett.com /
Facebook.com/RepOwlett
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pickett Media Contact: Andy Briggs 717-260-6474
Owlett Media Contact: Patricia Hippler 717-772-9846