Dauphin News

Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) has expressed concerns about the significant increase in state spending proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in the 2024-25 state budget. Bartolotta referred to the budget as an "extensive wish list" that would lead to unsustainable increases in spending. She also raised questions about how the governor intends to pay for these expenses beyond the legalization of adult-use cannabis.

Shapiro's budget plan includes a 7.1% increase in overall state spending, which Bartolotta believes will make it challenging to balance future budgets and maintain the state's Rainy Day Fund. She argues that the spending and revenue projections in the budget are unrealistic and will result in deep spending cuts and broad-based tax increases in the near future. This approach contradicts the responsible budgets that Senate Republicans have worked to enact in recent years, which have earned praise from credit rating agencies and reduced long-term debt service costs.

Bartolotta also expressed concerns about the potential impact of this budget on inflation. She believes that the higher spending proposed by the governor could lead to increased costs for Pennsylvania families who are already struggling to meet basic needs. Despite being a supporter of public education and previous investments made in the sector, Bartolotta questioned the sustainability of the proposed $1.5 billion increase in K-12 education spending.

The budget also includes a significant increase in mass transit funding, with most of the funds allocated to SEPTA. Bartolotta argues that this allocation does not benefit the people of the 46th Senatorial District.

In response to Shapiro's budget proposal, Senate Republicans plan to examine the budget in detail and search for greater efficiencies. The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin a series of budget hearings on February 20 to study the proposal further.

Contact: Katrina Hanna, 717-787-1463