Fleming praises state budget’s historic investments in education, economic development and health care

Central PA Delegation    July 6, 2023 | 1:52 PM

HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, today issued the following statement regarding the state budget passed by the General Assembly:

“Last night in a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed the 2023-24 state budget, which now goes to Governor Shapiro's desk for approval. I have spoken to many residents in Lower Paxton, Penbrook, and Susquehanna Township about their priorities, and I'm pleased that this budget addresses some of those priorities. While there is more to be done, this budget makes historic investments in education, public safety, health care, community and economic development, and much more. 

“Additionally, House Bill 1100 was sent to the governor's desk. This bill would raise the income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program from $35,000 to $45,000 and provide for larger rebates for eligible participants. The passage of this bill will bring relief for thousands of seniors across the Commonwealth.

Fleming noted some of the critical investments included in the 2023-24 budget:


Education

  • $567 million increase for Basic Education Funding.
  • $50 million increase for Special Education Funding.
  • $46.5 million for universal school breakfast.
  • $10 million to provide annual stipends to student teachers.

Economic Development

  • $23.5 million for workforce training and career & technical education.
  • $6 million for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
  • $20 million for the Historically Disadvantaged Business program.
  • $50 million for Whole Home Repairs program.
  • $6.4 million to modernize the Department of Environmental Protection and clear permit backlogs.

Healthcare

  • $20 million increase for county mental health funding.
  • $2.3 million to expand maternal health programming.

Public Safety

  • $125 million in school safety and environmental improvement grants.
  • $16.4 million for training 384 new State Police cadet classes.

First Time Indigent Defense Funding

  • $7.5 million to fund indigent defense for the first time in Pennsylvania history.