Feb. 06, 2024
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Robert Leadbetter (R-Columbia) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $48 billion spending plan, announced today:
“After listening to the governor's budget address, it is evident that he, along with his cohort of progressive Democrats, are advancing an extremist, left-wing agenda that harms Pennsylvanians, resulting in increased taxes, fewer resources for rural communities, and blatant violations of our state and federal constitutions.
“The proposed $48.34 billion budget includes many items that sound promising but fails to offer a viable means of funding them without burdening taxpayers. This is concerning for hardworking families, seniors, and those on fixed incomes across the Commonwealth, including right here in Columbia County.
“His proposal entails a $3.7 billion increase from the current year's budget and further depletes the state reserves by $3 billion, a resource my colleagues and I worked diligently to safeguard to be used as a tool to fight against tax increases, not justify new ones.
“Gov. Shapiro advocates for eliminating the constitutionally required two-thirds vote for funding non-preferred universities, a process my colleagues and I have successfully used to mandate transparency in their spending and implement a tuition freeze for in-state students. Additionally, the governor expands taxpayer-funded constitutional violations by establishing departments and offices that encroach upon our Second Amendment rights.
“While the governor briefly mentioned rural communities and agriculture, he omitted the more than 20% increase requested in his budget for his personal office, along with the over 22% increase in legal expenses incurred in covering up sexual assault cases the Commonwealth faced last year.
“Gov. Shapiro is using this budget to align Pennsylvania’s policies more closely with those of New York or California, most likely driven by the significant portion of his campaign funding originating from these states.
“In stark contrast to the governor’s neglect of Pennsylvanians, today I co-sponsored legislation to lower Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax from 3.07% to 2.5%. It’s yet to be seen if the Democrat majority brings the bill to the floor for a vote. I remain committed to advocating for agriculture and small businesses, supporting law enforcement and the sanctity of life, defending our Second Amendment rights, and standing up for seniors and hardworking families.”
The governor’s address marks the onset of the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings starting Tuesday, Feb. 20, to scrutinize the specifics of the governor’s plan and the allocation of funds by state departments and agencies. The General Assembly and governor face a June 30 deadline to finalize the budget.
Representative Robert Leadbeter
109th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Huntre Keip
717-772-9837
Hkeip@pahousegop.com
RepLeadbeter.com