Westmoreland Review

Representative Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) has expressed his concerns regarding Governor Josh Shapiro's budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year. In a statement, Nelson criticized the governor's plan, stating that it "opens the barn doors and shouts 'Spend! Spend! Spend!' across just about every government agency."

Nelson specifically highlighted his opposition to the inclusion of sin taxes, such as those related to recreational marijuana and expanded gambling. He also criticized the use of state savings for recurring costs, which he believes will ultimately lead to a tax increase on working families. However, Nelson did express agreement with some aspects of the governor's proposal, including economic development, improvements in senior care, and enhancing state police.

One area of particular interest to Nelson is higher education funding. While the governor's speech did not provide detailed information on this topic, Nelson stated that he is eager to engage and work towards making higher education more affordable. However, he remains skeptical about a plan that increases spending without addressing underlying problems.

Nelson emphasized the importance of responsible spending, stating that it is not a partisan issue. He noted that the funds the governor is proposing to spend are the result of over a decade of fiscal leadership, during which the General Assembly prioritized saving money in reserves and the Rainy Day Fund. Nelson warned that spending a significant portion of these funds on new government programs without a solid plan for annual funding will likely result in a tax increase in the coming years.

It is clear that Representative Eric Nelson is concerned about the potential consequences of Governor Josh Shapiro's budget proposal. He believes that the plan lacks fiscal responsibility and may lead to financial burdens for working families. Nelson also expressed his commitment to addressing higher education affordability and ensuring that spending is balanced and prioritized. The debate surrounding the budget proposal will undoubtedly continue as lawmakers work towards a final budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.