Feb. 04, 2025

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) today expressed his frustration with the governor’s proposed $51.47 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26.

“In his address, the governor called for $51.47 billion of spending, an increase of more than 7.5% over the current fiscal year. In order to balance this budget, the Commonwealth would have to deplete the General Fund surplus and drain an additional $1.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund.

“This is, simply put, bad fiscal policy. If we allowed the surplus and Rainy Day Fund to sit untouched, we would accrue interest that could be utilized to benefit Pennsylvanians. Instead, our governor is proposing to spend our savings to unwisely increase spending without a comparable increase in revenue.

“Many of the measures introduced in the proposal call for economically damaging energy taxes and policies. PA families and our small businesses are already struggling to pay for energy, and cannot afford to pay more. Alongside my Republican colleagues in the House, I am committed to tapping into the great economic potential under our feet while diversifying Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio.

“Fortunately, this proposal is only a beginning to the budget process, followed by weeks of hearings hosted by the Appropriations Committee, and ultimately negotiation and passage by both chambers of the General Assembly before returning to the governor’s desk.”

Representative Eric Weaknecht
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

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