The Pennsylvania Senate and House have approved a $50.1 billion state budget, with Senator Chris Gebhard (R-48) voting against the measure due to concerns about increased spending and long-term financial stability.
“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 new budget allocates approximately $4 billion more than what the state is projected to collect during the current fiscal year. This spending pattern could result in an estimated deficit of $6.8 billion by fiscal year 2027-28.
Gebhard also commented on Governor Josh Shapiro’s decision regarding environmental policy: “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.”
