Smith-Wade-El’s statement on the Shapiro budget address

HARRISBURG, March 7 – State Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, released the following statement today on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s address:

“I wholeheartedly support Governor Shapiro’s budget plan to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians by improving the public education system, growing the economy, and making communities safer and healthier.

“In particular, I look forward to working with the governor on a shared legislative goal: to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to help more seniors and disabled Pennsylvanians afford to stay in their homes. In his budget address today, Governor Shapiro said he wants to increase real relief by ensuring 175,000 more people qualify and providing higher rebates for those who do.

“I’m introducing two bills to reform PTRR to ensure the program helps more people who need it. One bill would equalize homeowners and renters by income bracket, and another would double the amount of money that seniors get back from the Commonwealth. The increase in the money homeowners and renters receive would help them stay in the homes they’ve worked for all their lives and so stabilize the life of our communities.

“I look forward to partnering with the governor to make our goals to increase access to and expand rebates from PTRR a reality.”

Residents with inquiries can call Smith-Wade-El’s district office at  717-283-4218 or toll free at 833-787-1792.