Governor Demonstrates Delusion Related to State Spending, Barger Says
HARRISBURG – When Gov. Josh Shapiro today proposed another $2.7 billion in state spending, Rep. Scott Barger (R-Blair/Huntingdon) questioned whether the state’s top executive needs coursework in math.
“It might be helpful if the governor demonstrated a working understanding of basic economics and arithmetic before Pennsylvanians trust his evaluation that a 5.4% increase in spending is a good idea,” Barger said.
Despite an existing $4.8 billion structural deficit, Shapiro presented a $53.26 billion proposal to the Legislature. It would require raiding the state’s Rainy Day Fund (similar to a savings account) for another $4.58 billion.
“I wish this governor was as passionate about helping Pennsylvanians afford their exorbitant utility bills as he is about overspending us into a fiscal grave,” Barger said.
Barger firmly believes the state should not spend more than its projected revenues, which are estimated to increase by only 1.9%. He said he certainly does not believe Shapiro’s rosy projections for planned tax revenue from skills games, recreational marijuana and a higher minimum wage – particularly because these initiatives will meet strong resistance from the Legislature.
“Every time I heard the governor say the words ‘invest’ or ‘investment,’ I thought about how he wants to overspend,” Barger said.
Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 fiscal year starts July 1. For more information about the state budget or the upcoming Appropriations committee hearings, visit
pabudget.com.
Editor’s Note:
Rep. Scott Barger’s comments on video are available for your use.
Representative Scott Barger
80th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com
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