Owlett: Governor’s Budget Proposal Feels Like Groundhog Day

February 4, 2025

HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) offered the following response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $51.47 billion state budget proposal outlined before a joint session of the General Assembly today. The plan represents an increase of $3.57 billion, or 7.5%, over the current fiscal year’s spending.

“Sitting in the House chamber today, it felt like Groundhog Day. Once again, the governor has outlined an exhaustive, and often misguided, wish list that spends far beyond what the people of this Commonwealth can afford – and one that would largely take our Commonwealth in the wrong direction.

“While I wish the governor would launch the annual state budget process with an honest, realistic proposal, it is important to remember this is just his plan, not the final plan. It is now up to the House and Senate to examine the details of the governor’s ideas and put together a budget that will be more responsible and respectful of the taxpayers.

“Growing our spending by more than 7% when anticipated revenues for the next fiscal year are expected to grow by just 2.8% under the current tax structure is not going to set our families or employers up for success. So, the governor is proposing to spend the rest of the state’s surplus, dip into our state’s savings account again, AND implement new taxes on things like recreational marijuana and skill games. Is that really the best way to help our Commonwealth thrive?

“I would absolutely say no. Instead, growing our economy, and particularly our energy economy, would allow us to responsibly meet some of our shared objectives, such as support for both public education and education choice, public safety, rural connectivity and more.

“We all want to see our citizens, our businesses and our communities thrive. It is our responsibility as elected leaders to work together to achieve that goal for the Commonwealth.”

Tuesday’s budget address by the governor is just the first step in the state’s annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a three-week series of hearings starting the week of Feb. 17 to delve into the details of the governor’s proposal. A final spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year is due by June 30.

Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives