Dauphin News

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved a fiscally responsible 2024-25 state budget today, aiming to expand educational choice and economic growth while respecting taxpayers, according to Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48).

"While I am disappointed that my proposal, which passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote of 36-14 but fell on deaf ears in the Democratically-controlled House, cut the Personal Income Tax and eliminated the gross receipt fee on our energy utility bills was not included in the final product, I do take satisfaction we included real permitting reforms and pro-job programs that will attract first-rate businesses to Pennsylvania," Gebhard said.

Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Gebhard, creating the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES), was incorporated into this year’s general budget.

"Far too often we have seen nothing but lip service on the idea of growing Pennsylvania’s economy by attracting new businesses. Finally, we have a real program in PA SITES that will invest in site development, preparation and readiness for industries to locate or expand in the commonwealth. To attract real jobs, we need to be serious and make significant investments and this program is a great start," Gebhard said.

The fiscal year 2024-25 budget represents a $740 million reduction from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal in February. The budget also adds to the state’s Rainy Day Fund to hedge against any future economic downturns, bringing the total slightly above the national average.

"I was also happy to see that the governor’s proposal to merge the commonwealth’s independent community colleges into the insolvent Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) system has been abandoned. I explained why it was a bad idea earlier this year that would have wreaked havoc on our successful community colleges," Gebhard said.

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CONTACT: Alex Gamble