Bashline: Budget Falls Short of Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability

February 4, 2025

HARRISBURG – Rep. Josh Bashline (R-Clarion/Armstrong) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $51.47 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, a 7.5% increase over the current fiscal year:

“This budget proposal is a huge disappointment and fails to adequately serve Pennsylvanians. Listening to the governor’s requests during today’s budget address, he wants to continue his mission of spending aimlessly without any accountability.

“At a time when families continue to struggle to pay for bills and daily necessities, implementing this ‘vision’ would be a further detriment to taxpayers by taking even more of their hard-earned money. This includes Gov. Shapiro calling for economically damaging energy taxes that will increase consumer costs and drive investment out of the Commonwealth. This is a non-negotiable for me.

“Before my arrival, House Republicans worked extremely hard to build a surplus and strong Rainy Day Fund in cases of emergency. If the governor were to get his wish, this budget would spend the remaining $2.89 billion of the General Fund surplus at the end of the fiscal year and draw down $1.6 billion in Rainy Day Fund money.

“This proposal, simply put, is not sustainable. Our options would be to raise taxes or grow the economy. I choose the latter. We can do this by focusing on energy independence, supporting our first responders, bringing jobs back to Clarion and Armstrong counties, and giving students the ability to choose which schools best suit their needs. This is just the starting point, and I look forward to collaborating on a responsible budget.”

Following three weeks of budget hearings, Bashline will be hosting a joint telephone town hall with House Republican Appropriations Chairman Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) on Monday, March 17, at 4 p.m. to go over Shapiro’s proposal and explain what House Republicans will be fighting to include in the budget.

For more information on the 2025-26 state budget, go to www.pahousegop.com.


Representative Josh Bashline
63rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717-260-6396
ntemple@pahousegop.com
www.repbashline.com / www.facebook.com/repbashline