Rep. Paul Takac statement on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 state budget
Rep. Paul Takac February 7, 2024 | 4:29 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, released the following statement today in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 proposed state budget:
“Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 state budget is an exciting and forward-looking first step in crafting a budget that tackles many of the most urgent and important issues facing our commonwealth,” Takac said. “As the governor emphasized, budgets reflect our values, vision, and commitments. This proposal, which reflects many of the key priorities of House Democrats, delivers for every Pennsylvanian.
“The proposed budget includes historic and long overdue investments in education at all levels. It includes over $1.5 billion in new funding for K-12 school districts, along with hundreds of millions in projected savings to local taxpayers by reforming overpayments to cyber charters. These increases, modeled on the recent report from the Basic Education Funding Commission, begin to close the adequacy gap and fulfill our constitutional and moral responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of their ZIP code, has a real chance to succeed.?
“The governor also proposes development of a blueprint for reform and reinvestment in higher education. After decades of stagnant funding, today Pennsylvania ranks almost dead last in the entire nation in terms of college affordability (48th), with the result that far too many students either discontinue their education or graduate with crippling loan debt. This budget expands access and affordability of not only higher education, but workforce development and careers in the skilled trades as well, in order to open doors of opportunity to more Pennsylvanians.
“In addition, the governor proposes several comprehensive and innovative economic development initiatives to reverse the recent trend of Pennsylvania losing jobs and investment dollars to neighboring states, and instead help our commonwealth be more competitive and take a leading role in attracting businesses that will support a more prosperous, thriving economy that works for everyone.?
“The budget also invests in programs and resources to keep Pennsylvanians safe, to support healthy communities, and to provide a hand up for those in need while supporting our most vulnerable and older neighbors. Additionally, it invests in housing, the environment, and expands support for first-responders, veterans, and active military.?
“And the governor’s proposed budget does all this and more in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way. Even if every proposed?budget item is included, it will result in no increase in taxes and will still leave our state’s rainy fund healthier than ever, with a projected $11 billion reserve in June 2025.?In my many years working in business and education, I saw time and again the importance of making strategic investments in the future, especially when the time was right and the resources were available. Now is the time for Pennsylvania. Let’s not allow this opportunity to pass us by.
“I look forward to working with the Shapiro administration and my colleagues in the General Assembly over the coming weeks and months to discuss, debate, and negotiate a final budget that reflects these commonsense, strategic investments that will provide a better and brighter future for our students and families, our communities, and our commonwealth.”