Reichard: Gov.’s Spending Plan Too High for Residents to Afford

2/3/2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) said Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.26 billion spending plan outspends what revenue the state collects and will lead to a financial crisis for Pennsylvania. Here is his statement on the spending plan:

“Well, it’s budget address day…again. The long and short of the spending plan we heard today is that it simply spends too much. The governor is proposing to spend nearly $6.5 billion more than the revenue Pennsylvania brings in. Even back-of-the-envelope math shows the numbers just do not add up. The reality of the situation is that going this route would cause tax hikes, something Pennsylvanians cannot afford. The governor’s big spending plan is a replay of last year’s budget, which was so well received that we had a months-long impasse.

“To cover some of his spending hike, the governor wants to raid the Rainy Day Fund to withdraw more than half of the balance. This fund is meant for emergencies, not to serve as a personal piggy bank. He is also relying on taxing skilled games and legalizing marijuana to cover some of the spending. Banking on vice taxes as a steady stream of new revenue is not only a bad idea, but it also unleashes new, legal bad habits that will have lasting negative impacts for generations to come.

“The governor is proposing another alarming money shift. This plan includes moving an additional $320 million in Sales and Use Tax revenue from the General Fund and redirecting it to public transit annually starting next year. As history has shown, a large chunk, if not all, would be sent yearly to Philadelphia to bail out its public transit service.

“I cannot emphasize enough that the address today was just the tip-off of the budget season. Now, the real work begins to dive into the proposal and look at the reality of where Pennsylvania stands financially. From there, we will work to form a budget that respects current and future taxpayers. We must plan for today, tomorrow and well into the future.”

As a newly appointed member of the House Appropriations Committee, Reichard will take part in the upcoming budget hearings. Members will examine the governor’s spending proposal and question state agency officials about spending requests, as well as the success of programs under their purview. The hearings will begin on Feb. 23.

Representative Chad Reichard
90th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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