Feb. 08, 2022
HARRISBURG – The $43.7 billion budget outlined by Gov. Tom Wolf today, particularly the 16.6 percent in increased spending, would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious, according to Rep. Perry Stambaugh (R-Perry/Cumberland).
“The budget blueprint as presented made me think of the TV and radio jingle used to promote the old amusement park near Gettysburg, ‘I want to go to Fantasyland,’” Stambaugh said. “The governor’s proposed $6.2 billion in new spending works out to an additional $17 million a day or $1,055 annually for every Pennsylvania resident. To suggest such levels of fiscal irresponsibility borders on the absurd. It appears the governor is intent on leaving the Commonwealth’s fiscal house in shambles when he departs in January 2023.”
Stambaugh has renewed his pledge to work to control spending and hold the line on taxes during 2022-23 budget negotiations. While projections for the coming year’s budget currently show a surplus, deficits are forecast after that: a $1.9 billion shortfall in 2023-24, $2 billion in 2024-25, $1.8 billion in 2025-26, and $1.7 billion in 2026-27.
“Obviously, adding to the state’s Rainy Day Fund this budget cycle will help the Commonwealth better ride out those expected tough years ahead,” Stambaugh said. “Hammering out a real budget starts now.”