Pennsylvania’s Budget Reality: Time for Discipline
As the Governor prepares to unveil his budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, Pennsylvanians deserve a plan that prioritizes responsible spending—not another round of runaway budgets and short-term gimmicks.
Two Questions That Matter
When I review the state budget, I start with two simple questions:
- Are we spending more than we’re taking in?
- Is spending growing faster than inflation?
Ignoring these questions has consequences. The Independent Fiscal Office reports that for years, state spending has outpaced recurring revenues. That gap—our structural deficit—is widening because revenues are growing slowly while spending in the adopted budgets continues to climb faster than both revenue growth and inflation.
The Cushion Is Gone
Federal COVID dollars masked this problem temporarily, but that cushion is gone. By the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year, the General Fund balance will be zero and the Rainy Day Fund will be nearly depleted—even though the Rainy Day Fund is supposed to be reserved for true emergencies and economic downturns.
If we don’t act now and reverse the spending trend, taxpayers could face multi-billion-dollar deficits that translate into a 30% hike in the personal income tax. That’s unacceptable.
My Commitment
I’ll keep fighting for budgets that protect taxpayers by:
- Limiting spending to inflationary growth and available revenue
- Preserving a strong Rainy Day Fund for real emergencies and to maintain our credit rating
- Identifying efficiencies across state government during budget hearings
Pennsylvania can solve its budget challenges without setting up taxpayers for a fall. It starts with discipline, transparency, and a commitment to live within our means.