Northeast Republican Delegation: State Budget Impasse Nears End, Delivering Key Wins for Taxpayers, Businesses and Energy Independence

11/12/2025

HARRISBURG – After 135 days, and many Pennsylvanians feeling the pain derived from lack of funding, the state budget impasse is finally nearing an end. Today, both the House and Senate advanced five budget-related bills, and the Northeast Republican Delegation, along with Republican Leadership, ultimately voted YES on the overall budget.

“This has been a long, stressful process, but this budget reflects compromise and responsible decision-making for the people of Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne). “We worked to deliver a budget that protects taxpayers and prioritizes the needs of our communities without depleting the state’s reserves.”

The approved budget reduces Gov. Josh Shapiro’s initial spending plan by $1.4 billion. It also removes the bureaucratic and hostile regulations that forced Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a major victory for Pennsylvania’s energy independence. RGGI has been a leading factor in uncertainty within the Commonwealth’s energy industry, reducing investment and driving up costs for consumers.

Highlights for Pennsylvania taxpayers and businesses include:

• Regulatory Reform: Expands the list of fast-track permits and creates two new permits that will be automatically deemed approved if not acted upon in time.
• Unleashing Energy Potential: Removing barriers and prohibitive policy that has prevented PA from keeping up with neighboring states that have benefitted greatly from energy production.
• Program Integrity: Implements new safeguards to reduce Medical Assistance and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) error rates, aligning state policy with federal standards.
• Transportation Funding: Allocates funding for mass transit in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh from special funds rather than general reserves.
• Education Improvements: Introduces evidence-based literacy programs in schools to strengthen student outcomes.

Equally important, the budget does not include the legalization of marijuana, the taxation of skill games, or any effort to tap into the state’s Rainy Day Fund.

“You will certainly hear mixed opinions within both political parties,” Fritz added. With 156 Republicans and Democrats voting yes and 47 Republicans and Democrats voting no in the House, this is not a perfect budget, especially when you are in the minority, but it represents a true compromise in the final product.”

The delegation commended Republican Leader Jesse Topper for ensuring that the caucus, even while in the minority, remained a force for commonsense policy throughout the negotiation process.

The Northeast Regional Delegation includes the following House Republicans: Delegation Chair Jonathan Fritz (Susquehanna/Wayne), Jamie Flick (Lycoming/Union), Joe Hamm (Lycoming/Sullivan), Robert Leadbeter (Columbia), Jeff Olsommer (Wayne/Pike), Clint Owlett (Tioga/Bradford), Tina Pickett (Wyoming/Bradford), Brenda Pugh (Luzerne), Jack Rader (Monroe), David Rowe (Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), Alec Ryncavage (Luzerne) and Dane Watro (Luzerne/Schuylkill).

Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
717.260.6522
mefox@pahousegop.com
RepFritz.com / Facebook.com/RepFritz

Northeast Regional Delegation Media Contacts:
Chris Comisac: 717.772.9845 (Watro)
Andrew Forgotch: 717.772.9905 (Flick)
Melissa Fox: 717.260.6522 (Fritz, Olsommer, Pugh, Ryncavage)
Patti Hippler: 717.772.9846 (Owlett)
Katelin Morrison: 717.260.6502 (Rowe)
Kalie Morrow: 717.772.9824 (Hamm, Pickett, Rader)
Nate Temple: 717.260.6396 (Leadbeter)