Westmoreland Review

HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), and Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) announced the approval of a fiscally responsible 2024-25 state budget today. The $47.59 billion spending plan is $740 million less than the proposal Gov. Josh Shapiro presented in February and allocates $740 million to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, a key priority for Senate Republicans.

The budget includes measures to boost Pennsylvania’s economy by continuing to phase out the Corporate Net Income Tax and initiating the process of eliminating the Start-Up Penalty, which hampers businesses from relocating to the commonwealth.

“The governor and House Democrats started this budget process calling for unicorns and rainbows in the form of new spending on radically progressive programs and increased school funding in a few select locations across the state,” Ward said. “Instead, Senate Republicans prioritized funding for programs that are showing results so our residents get real benefits while serving as a backstop against tax increases that would have been forced by the Democrat agenda.”

“This budget is built on two fundamental principles – honesty and empowerment. It’s honest about the realities and limitations of divided government. It’s honest about finding new ways to fund educational opportunities, helping those who provide health care and human services, and paying our commonwealth’s bills with no tricks, gimmicks or games,” Pittman said. “This is also a budget that empowers. It empowers parents to make decisions to benefit their children, job creators through permitting reforms and improving our state’s tax policies, law enforcement to maintain law and order, and taxpayers with $700 million more committed to our Rainy Day Fund.”

“I am thankful we reached a budget agreement that recognizes the need to address Pennsylvania’s economic and demographic challenges in the years ahead," Martin said. "In addition to making our state more competitive for job growth, the budget’s Grow PA plan will help young people train for high-demand careers while taking on less debt."

Significant resources are included to empower parents and families regarding their children's education needs. The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program will receive an additional $75 million, bringing total funding for the program to $630 million.

The plan also increases K-12 education funding by more than $1 billion. New funding includes $285 million for Basic Education subsidy, $526 million for Ready to Learn Block Grant program, and $100 million for school facility improvements.

Additional measures include reduced cyber charter school special education costs of approximately $34.5 million through a state-funded reimbursement system.

To attract students to Pennsylvania schools post-graduation, Grow PA scholarships of $5,000 will be available under certain conditions. An additional $36 million will go towards Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program.

Transportation infrastructure sees continued support with an additional $80.5 million allocated from one-time dollars.

New resources are also directed towards county mental health ($20 million), nursing facilities ($134 million), intellectual disability/autism services ($278 million), LIFE providers ($16.7 million), among others.

Environmental initiatives include an allocation of $50 million for the Clean Streams Fund created in 2022.

Permitting delays are addressed through a new Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Program establishing permit review timelines by DEP and conservation districts.

The Attorney General's Office receives nearly $5 million in new funding targeting human trafficking ($1 million), organized retail theft ($2.7 million), among other initiatives.

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