Unpacking the 2026-27 State Budget

Rep. Leanne Krueger July 14, 2026 | 3:38 PM

PA Representative Leanne Krueger banner image

Dear Neighbor,

On Sunday, the General Assembly passed Pennsylvania’s 2026-2027 state budget, HB 2400, and I was proud to be there as Governor Josh Shapiro signed it into law.

Despite having one of the most closely divided legislatures in the country, we came together to pass a balanced, bipartisan budget that makes meaningful investments in our schools, strengthens our workforce, supports seniors and families, and protects essential services that Pennsylvanians rely on every day, all without raising taxes.

I’m proud of what my colleagues and I were able to accomplish through this budget. It reflects our commitment to investing in people, creating opportunities, and making sure resources reach the communities that need them most.

Some of the key investments included in the budget:

$565 million in adequacy and tax equity funding for public schools, a $58 million increase for Basic Education Funding, and a $55 million increase for Special Education Funding.
A $5 million increase, $30 million total, to the Child Care Recruitment and Retention program, increasing grants to $540 per eligible child care worker.
$10 million to expand the Student Teacher Stipend Program and an increase in PHEAA programs, funding for state-related universities and PASSHE.
Delivers a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for our retired teachers, police officers, and firefighters to help provide greater financial security.
$979 million for mental health services, including mental health walk-in crisis stabilization centers, and dedicated funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
A $7 million increase in the Farmers’ Market Food Coupons to combat food insecurity.
More than $600 million increase for Managed Care funding helping our seniors and families, including over $5 million increase for CHIP.
Continues the Working Pennsylvania Tax Credit, helping nearly 950,000 working families keep more of what they earn.
Supports job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across Pennsylvania.
Invests in environmental protection, conservation, and state parks to keep Pennsylvania healthy and safe for future generations.
An increase in funding for our veterans, including increased funding to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, and for the Paralyzed Veterans Pension.

This budget puts Pennsylvania on a path for continued growth by building stronger communities, expanding opportunities for everyone, and maintaining the Commonwealth’s fiscal stability. It does all of this while leaving Pennsylvania with a projected surplus of approximately $8 billion by the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

While I’m proud of what we achieved, our work is far from over. I remain committed to advancing priorities that matter to our communities that we didn’t get done in this budget, including raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, securing a long-term funding solution for mass transit, and protecting healthcare workers from workplace violence.

Increases for our Public Schools

Education matters, and it remains one of my top priorities. That’s why I fought for increased investments for all of our local school districts – Chester Upland, Penn-Delco, Ridley, Rose Tree Media, and Wallingford-Swarthmore will all see an increase next school year. These funds will help strengthen classrooms, support students, and provide the resources our schools need to thrive.

Budget Wins for Delco Healthcare

One of my budget priorities was securing funding to strengthen healthcare in Delaware County. Since private equity firm Prospect Medical Holdings closed four hospitals in our community, I have fought for the resources needed to support the hospitals that have stepped up to care for our neighbors. These investments will help strengthen access to quality healthcare for Delaware County residents.

Cost-of-Living increases for our retired public servants

Last night I was at a local restaurant when a retired teacher stopped to thank me for my vote on the budget. Her mother is also a retired teacher and her husband and father are retired police officers. Three of them will benefit from the Cost-of-Living increase that we included in the budget for retired teachers, police officers and firefighters. Teachers have been waiting on a COLA for twenty-five years and this increase is long overdue. I was happy to vote yes on this long overdue investment in retired public servants.

In the District

Meeting with Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital Leadership

This morning I met with local and regional leadership at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, one of the two remaining hospitals in Delaware County after Prospect Medical Holdings closed four hospitals. We talked about the challenges they are facing with the coming Medicaid cuts at the Federal level and how they will use the $2M in funding we secured in the latest budget to support staff and patients.

Stay safe and cool in Delco this summer

To help everyone stay safe when temperatures rise, I want to make sure you’re aware of Delaware County’s 2026 Heat Plan. It includes Code Red alerts and cooling centers at senior centers, libraries, and community buildings.

To learn more, visit https://delcopa.gov/health-department/heat-information, or call the Delaware County Health Department’s Wellness Line if you need help staying cool at (484) 276-2100.

And remember these tips to beat the heat:

Drink plenty of water
Check on older friends, relatives, and neighbors
Limit time outdoors, especially midday
Never leave kids or pets in a car
If you need to be outdoors, be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, headache, or excessive sweating
When in doubt, take a break, cool down, and seek help.

Programs & Services

Upcoming road work in Delaware County

Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, a lane closure with flagging will be in place on Bortondale Road/Orange Street between Old Middletown Road and Baltimore Pike in Middletown and Upper Providence townships and in Media Borough for milling, paving, and utility adjustments.
Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, a lane closure with flagging will be in place on Chelsea Road between Chichester Avenue and Concord Road in Bethel and Upper Chichester townships for milling, paving, and utility adjustments.

PA State Grant Update

Are you or someone you know a first-time student planning on community college or trade school? Get your FAFSA in by August 1 to be considered for a 2026-27 PA State Grant.

Apply here.

Students who have already submitted their FAFSA® and completed the PA State Grant process may now be able to view a provisional PA State Grant award in GrantUS.

While final eligibility and award amounts are determined later, reviewing your provisional award can help give you an early look at anticipated financial aid amounts for the upcoming academic year.

Meet with a PA MEDI counselor in our Brookhaven office

Medicare coverage can be confusing – but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our office offers FREE, one-on-one Medicare counseling through PA Medi.

Whether you’re new to Medicare, need help during open enrollment, have questions about Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans (Part D), or want to understand Medigap supplemental insurance – a trained PA Medi counselor can guide you through it.

Call my office to schedule an appointment.

"Mattie Who Cares" Medicare Help from PA MEDI

Medicare can be confusing, but you don't have to navigate it alone. If you have questions about Medicare coverage, enrollment, costs, or benefits, "Mattie Who Cares" is here to help connect you with one of SCS' trained PA MEDI counselors. Simply call 484-494-3765 or email delcopamedi@scs-delco.org, and a knowledgeable counselor will reach out to provide free, unbiased Medicare guidance.

July Mobile Office Hours

Upland Borough

Tuesday, July 21

1 PM – 3 PM

MacQueen Hall – 224 Castle Ave., Upland Borough

Our Events

Staying Safe Online & Off at the N.I.T.E. Center on the Neumann University Campus.

Thursday, August 6

Program begins at 10:00 AM

We are partnering with the N.I.T.E. Center for a FREE workshop for seniors that will help you:

Spot Scams and Phishing Emails
Use strong passwords and manage accounts safely
Recognize safe websites and pop-ups
Identify scam calls and messages

To register for this event and receive all the details, call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

Medicare 101- In person event

Monday, August 24

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Aston Community Center – 3270 Concord Rd., Aston

To register, call 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Thursday, August 27

12 PM – 5 PM

Brookhaven Municipal Center

2 Cambridge Rd., Brookhaven

Be on the lookout for the registration link when it goes live in the upcoming weeks.

Retirement Planning Seminar

August 31

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (presentation begins at 5:30 PM)

Brookhaven Municipal Center – 2 Cambridge Rd., Brookhaven

Calculating what you need to retire can be difficult. Where do you start to come up with that magic number? As you enter the next season of your life, do you have a strategy to make it last? We will be joined by a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities for a FREE Retirement Planning Seminar. This session will help you understand how much you may need to live out your golden years with financial stability and outline several strategies to ensure that you can make that nest egg last.

To register call my office or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

In the Community

DCHD – Navigating Our Health Care System

If you were previously a Crozer patient and need assistance obtaining your medical records, join DCHD for a special walk-in support event where staff will be available to guide you through the process.

Wednesday, July 15

3 PM – 6 PM

Delaware County Wellness Center
125 Chester Avenue, Yeadon, PA 19050

Walk-ins welcome
Please bring your cell phone and a valid ID

Questions? Call the Delaware County Wellness Line at 484-276-2100.