“This is the governor’s wish list, and from here we will work to whittle this down to a more reasonable budget,” said state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport.

He also observed how the proposed spending plan is up $3 billion, or 5 %.

“We don’t want to go down that same road for a second year,” he said, noting the spending levels proposed that are reminiscent of last year’s budget proposal, with heavy reliance on the rainy day and surplus funds, and taxes on skills games and recreational marijuana.

Strategic investments to strengthen the workforce, such as funding the PA WORKS Program, to expand educational opportunities in the skilled and technical trades, were favorable to Flick.

This, in turn, could alleviate waitlists for students and offer potential business tax credits to help to grow the workforce in crucial industries where there are growing shortfalls of skilled workers, he said. “We want to make the 83rd District attractive for employers of in-demand jobs and the employees who want to stay here and work.”

Pennsylvania continues to face several critical issues, such as childcare shortages, housing insecurity, and a lack of mental health and intellectual disability services.

“As a member of the House Human Services Committee, these issues are core to my work in Harrisburg, and I’ll work to make progress on policies that help bring stability and success to residents in a fiscally responsible way,” Flick said.

“Governor Shapiro continues to ignore the fiscal realities Pennsylvania is facing,” said state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township.

“While hard working Pennsylvanians and our seniors struggle to make ends meet, the governor’s budget adds new taxes and excessive spending.

“Families, farmers, and small businesses cannot afford overspending from their state government,” Hamm said.

“I strongly oppose Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget and call on my colleagues to work with me to craft a budget that puts Pennsylvanians first rather than the Harrisburg establishment.”

“Shapiro’s $53.3 billion plan would increase spending from the present year by over 5%, which is nearly $3 Billion more than last year’s bloated budget, Hamm stressed.

“This tax and spend proposal would legalize recreational marijuana and tax it, legalize skill games through statute and tax it, and create combined reporting for businesses which is another new tax,” Hamm added. “We need to get serious about our future here in Pennsylvania, he said.

The Independent Fiscal Office has said Pennsylvania is headed toward a fiscal cliff with Pennsylvania running out of money next year, Hamm remarked.

It is far past time for Harrisburg to tighten its belt and stop the out-of-control spending. Our children and senior population deserve better from Harrisburg.”

Hamm pointed out that the state Independent Fiscal Office forecasts Pennsylvania budget structural deficits in the near-term: $5.84 billion in 2026-2027, $6.90 billion in 2027-2028; $7.27 billion in 2028-2029 and more than $7.5 billion per year after that. Those numbers could drastically increase if the economy enters into a recession.

The governor’s address is just the beginning of the annual budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings in the coming weeks to examine the details of the governor’s plan and how state departments and agencies are spending their funding.

The state budget must be in place before July 1 as required by the Pennsylvania Constitution.

In the weeks ahead, the state Senate Appropriations Committee also will hold a series of hearings to closely examine the spending plan to determine how it can be improved, said state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township.