Northern Tier News

Rep. Tina Pickett of Bradford/Wyoming expressed concerns over Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, presented during a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The governor's plan outlines nearly $51.5 billion in spending, marking a $3.57 billion increase from the current year.

Pickett stated, "The reality is a lot of things in the governor’s budget proposal sound good. They sound like things we would want to have in place in Pennsylvania. But the fact is, the governor is proposing a 7.5% increase in the state budget with a projected revenue increase of less than 3%. That is simply unsustainable, and it will not work."

She highlighted public concerns about inflation and healthcare accessibility, particularly in rural areas. "Some of the proposals in his budget would just increase inflation further," she noted.

Energy policy was another point of contention for Pickett: "Another concern in our Northern Tier communities is energy... We must be certain the Commonwealth remains an energy leader and that we make energy in every form more affordable."

Looking ahead to upcoming budget hearings, Pickett said they are crucial for reviewing financial details and setting spending priorities: "I really appreciate all the things the governor brought forward... but I do recognize there is a lot of work to be done to bring together an acceptable budget for Pennsylvania."

The House Appropriations Committee will begin hearings on February 18 to delve into Shapiro's plan and scrutinize departmental spending. The General Assembly and Governor face a June 30 deadline to finalize the state's budget.