Walsh Votes Against Unsustainable Budget Plan
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jamie Walsh (R-Luzerne) released the following statement after he voted against final passage of the 2025-26 state budget:
“This wasn’t an easy vote for me to make considering there were some really good items contained within the budget proposal, such as increased money for education, measures to reduce fraud and abuse in state benefit programs, and getting the state out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which will help reduce energy costs.
“However, I cannot support the continued spending beyond our means that will only result in increased taxes in the years ahead.
“The nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office estimates current net revenues for the state will be $44 billion in Fiscal Year 2025-26. With a budget that is set to spend $50.1 billion, we will be spending $6 billion more than what we generate. Think about that. No family would set a budget like that. It is a recipe for disaster.
“Claims that economic growth will cover the $6 billion increase in spending are premature and unproven. This is just bad governance, so my vote was ‘no.’
“It is disappointing that four months past the budget deadline this was the best we could do. Although we got some great ‘wins’ in the final plan, it just isn’t fiscally responsible or sustainable.”
Representative Jamie Walsh
117th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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