Feb. 03, 2026
HARRISBURG – When Gov. Josh Shapiro presented his 2026-27 spending proposal to the Legislature today, he continued a tradition of overspending without offering meaningful proposals or real solutions, according to Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia).
Shapiro has proposed overall spending of $53.26 billion, which would represent a $2.7 billion increase over the current fiscal year that ends June 30.
“The concept of spending 5.4% more is out of touch with what Pennsylvanians are experiencing in their daily lives,” White said.
White expressed frustration the governor did not highlight proposals for K-12 scholarships, as she feels students succeed when families have choices about what educational setting best suits their needs. She wants the governor to understand education is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
White has championed school choice initiatives like her bills for an $8,000-per-child tax credit and Lifeline Scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
She urges the governor to commit to opting in to a new, federal tax credit that would help even more students attend schools of their parents’ choosing. Pennsylvania students could be missing out on up to $1 billion in scholarships if the governor does not opt in.
“The governor campaigned in 2022 on supporting school choice. Now, in the final year of his term, he has made no mention of school choice when addressing lawmakers. It is wildly disingenuous,” White said.
For more information about the state budget or the upcoming House Appropriations Committee hearings, visit
pabudget.com.
Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives