We Need to Work Toward a Responsible Budget, Says Fink

February 4, 2025

HARRISBURG – Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro laid out his spending plan for fiscal year 2025-26, and he intends to spend big. Now that he’s given his budget address, the General Assembly must begin the hard work of negotiating a responsible plan that can meet Pennsylvania’s needs while remaining good stewards of taxpayer dollars, according to Rep. Wendy Fink (R-Red Lion). 

“Shapiro shared with us his concept for a massive $51.47 billion budget. This represents a 7.5% spending increase from the current fiscal year. If adopted, his proposal would deplete the $2.89 billion General Fund surplus and require transferring $1.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to balance,” said Fink.

“Shapiro’s budget plan would put the Commonwealth at a crossroads. We must either work together to generate the economic growth needed to fund these spend-heavy plans, or the cost will get passed along to taxpayers who are already struggling to meet the cost of living. This is unacceptable. Furthermore, the governor’s plan does nothing to address the growing concerns of a looming fiscal cliff, which has been predicted by economists for years.

“When I took office in 2023, the budget incorporated $45.55 billion in planned spending for that fiscal year. In just three budget cycles, the proposed spending has increased by nearly $6 billion. When will it stop? Where will we draw the line? 

“I am looking forward to diving deeper into the budget in the coming weeks to develop a more reasonable plan that funds everything Pennsylvania needs, and nothing it doesn’t. We need to work together toward a responsible budget, or I will be a firm ‘no’ for my constituents in District 94 who cannot afford, and do not want to see their government enact this level of spending,” Fink concluded.
The deadline for the 2025-26 state budget is Monday, June 30. 

For questions about the budget proposal, please contact Fink’s office at 717-244-9232.


Representative Wendy Fink
94th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Katelin Morrison
717.260.6502
Kmorrison@pahousegop.com
RepWendyFink.com / Facebook.com/RepWendyFink

 

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