PA Budget Invests in Working Families, White Says

July 12, 2026

HARRISBURG – The 2026-27 state budget approved by the House of Representatives today includes several key Republican priorities, including a long-awaited cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired police officers and firefighters, according to Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), who voted in favor of the proposal.

The $50.8 billion spending plan also protects the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program by maintaining its current funding levels despite recent proposals from Democrats to decimate the K-12 scholarship program. In addition, the budget invests an extra $10 million to help more students access career and technical education programs, expanding opportunities for students seeking workforce training and in-demand career skills.

White said the final budget reflects months of negotiations that produced meaningful policy victories while limiting overall spending growth.

“We Republicans not only successfully pushed back on some of the most dangerous and problematic initiatives from the other side, but also greatly reined in the governor’s appetite for overspending,” White said. “We negotiated this budget in a way that helps working families and does not rely on the Rainy Day fund to do so. Families across Pennsylvania continue to feel the pressure of rising costs, forcing them to make difficult financial decisions every day. They deserve a government that exercises the same discipline while pursuing policies that lower costs and help them keep more of what they earn.”

One of the most significant provisions in the budget is the establishment of a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retired public servants. The spending plan dedicates $170 million annually over the next 10 years to provide COLAs for eligible pre-Act 9 retirees in the police, firefighter and teacher pension systems. White said the investment recognizes the service and sacrifice of public employees whose retirement benefits have not kept pace with inflation.

“Our retired first responders devoted their careers to protecting our communities, and many have gone years without any adjustment to help offset rising costs,” White said. “This budget takes an important step toward ensuring those who served the public with distinction receive the support they deserve.”

White also highlighted the preservation of the EITC program as a major victory for families and students across Pennsylvania. The program encourages private-sector scholarship donations and has helped hundreds of thousands of children attend schools that best meet their educational needs while supporting innovative educational initiatives.

“Protecting educational opportunity was one of my top priorities throughout these budget negotiations,” White said. “The EITC program has transformed lives by giving students access to educational options that work best for them, and I am pleased we were able to preserve this important resource.”

While acknowledging that no budget is perfect, White said the final agreement represents a reasonable compromise that avoids broad-based tax increases, preserves key educational programs and delivers meaningful support for retirees and working families.

The budget now heads to the governor’s desk for his consideration.

Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com
www.RepWhite.com / www.facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite