PA Budget Lacks Key Initiatives, Barger Says

July 12, 2026

HARRISBURG – The $50.8 billion 2026-27 budget passed by the House of Representatives today does not take appropriate steps to control spending, according to Rep. Scott Barger (R-Blair/Huntingdon).

“I had two priorities: saving the Rainy Day Fund and eliminating the structural deficit. It’s good we preserved the balance in the Rainy Day Fund, but we made no real effort to exercise fiscal restraint. I had to be a ‘no’ vote,” Barger said.

The budget as passed fails to address scholarships that could be used by families with students trapped in failing schools. It does not legalize and/or tax skill games that the state Supreme Court deemed illegal gaming devices without legislative regulation, meaning fraternal and veterans clubs benefiting from the games’ revenue will be harmed starting this fall.

Negotiations also did not advance a Senate bill that would have allowed local municipalities to place an 18-month moratorium on new data center development.

“I feel we should have done more and gone further to address important issues affecting the Commonwealth. The budget as written does not empower local stakeholders,” Barger said.

Barger expressed frustration that the budget, which passed both chambers this weekend, was yet again not finished by the June 30 deadline required of lawmakers.


Representative Scott Barger
80th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com
RepBarger.com / facebook.com/RepBarger