Southwest Allegheny News

Governor Josh Shapiro recently presented his state budget proposal to the General Assembly, outlining a $48.34 billion plan that includes a substantial increase in state appropriations. However, not everyone is pleased with this proposal.

Representative Valerie Gaydos of the 44th Legislative District expressed her concerns about the governor's budget. Gaydos stated, "I cannot support a budget which drains $15.9 billion from the General Fund balance and spends nearly $3.2 billion more than what the state currently brings in. This does not put Pennsylvania on strong financial footing. In fact, it does the exact opposite."

Gaydos highlighted the potential consequences of such excessive spending, pointing out that "unchecked spending equals an eventual tax increase." She emphasized the importance of maintaining reserves for emergency situations and economic downturns, rather than using them for new and recurring expenses.

Furthermore, Gaydos raised concerns about the demographic challenges Pennsylvania is facing, with significant growth in the elderly population and a contraction in the working-age population. She argued that this is not the time to engage in a spending spree or expand government.

Despite her reservations, Gaydos acknowledged some positive aspects of the budget proposal. She commended the increased support for senior citizens, fire and emergency medical services personnel, mental health services, state police, and military and veterans affairs. Additionally, Gaydos expressed satisfaction with the governor's recognition of the importance of Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform.

Gaydos also highlighted the next steps in the budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings to examine the details of the governor's plan and how state agencies are utilizing their funding. These hearings are set to begin on Tuesday, February 20.

It is clear that Representative Valerie Gaydos has reservations about Governor Josh Shapiro's budget proposal. She believes that the excessive spending and depletion of reserves will have negative consequences for Pennsylvania's financial stability. As the budget process unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these concerns are addressed and whether any changes are made to the proposal.