An Ortitay Note: Pennsylvanians Deserve to Hear About this Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal before a joint session of the General Assembly:
“I don’t think most Pennsylvanians want a bigger budget. I think they want fewer problems.
“This budget spends billions more dollars than last year, drains nearly 60% of the state’s savings account and still leaves families dealing with the same things they were dealing with yesterday: high property taxes, rising costs and schools that aren’t getting results for kids who are struggling.
“If this were a household budget, someone would stop the conversation and ask a fair question: Why are we touching the savings?
“The Rainy Day Fund is supposed to be there for a real emergency like a recession, disaster or something nobody saw coming. This budget uses it because spending grew faster than revenue. That’s not an emergency. That’s a choice.
“Here’s another honest part people don’t like to say out loud: Spending more money isn’t the same thing as solving a problem.
“We passed a law last year to help kids learn to read. This budget doesn’t fund it – not a dollar to implement it.
“And if you’re wondering whether this budget makes life easier for you, whether it lowers your taxes, reduces your bills or makes government work better, the answer is no.
“It makes government larger. That’s different.
“I’m not interested in shouting about Gov. Shapiro’s latest budget proposal. I’m interested in telling the truth about it. Pennsylvanians are smart enough to decide for themselves.
“They just deserve an honest explanation.”
For more information on Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal, visit
pabudget.com.
The 46th Legislative District includes South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant and North Strabane (Districts 6,7,8 and 9) townships and Canonsburg, Houston and McDonald boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepOrtitay.com / Facebook.com/RepOrtitay