Nov. 12, 2025 / Press Release

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) announced the long budgetary stalemate is over after the House passed a $50.1 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

He released the following statement:

“Today is a massive win for Columbia County’s conservative values by achieving affordability and reasserting legislative authority through the removal of the radical-left carbon tax, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This monumental change will now allow us to produce and export more energy to lower energy costs and support good jobs.

“Republicans were also able to achieve several other victories within this budget. The Democrat majority delayed this budget for more than 130 days because they wanted:

  •   The spend number to be $51.5 billion, which included transfers from the Rainy Day Fund and surplus.
  •   A budget supported by legalizing recreational marijuana.
  •   To use more Sales and Use Tax money to pay for mass transit.
  •   $400 million to $800 million in cuts to cyber charter schools with an $8,000 statewide rate that would have shuttered many cyber charter schools.
  •   An economy-crushing increase to the minimum wage.
  •   An energy-crushing Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) and Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition Board (RESET) Board.

“Here is where Republican efforts paid off:
  •   We saved Pennsylvanians $1.4 billion of Democrats’ demands while not touching the Rainy Day Fund or the interest.
  •   Recreational marijuana will not be legalized as part of this budget.
  •   Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) are going to be funded for two years out of capital funds rather than burdening rural taxpayers like us who call Columbia County home.
  •   A statewide rate for cyber charter schools was rejected, which maintains cyber charter schools as a school choice option.
  •   Businesses will not be forced to increase labor costs due to government mandates and will remain governed by the free market.
  •   Setting the stage for lower energy bills and billions of dollars of energy industry investment within Pennsylvania.

“I am happy to see our work pay dividends for Columbia County families and seniors. We must move forward and implement policies that create economic growth and more jobs, fight runaway inflation and out-of-control gas prices, reduce the tax burden, restore fiscal discipline, support our local farmers and small businesses, protect our freedom, back our law enforcement and stand tall for our veterans.”

Representative Robert Leadbeter
109th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717-260-6396
ntemple@pahousegop.com
RepLeadbeter.com
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