Westmoreland Review

Rep. Jill Cooper of Westmoreland County is preparing to introduce a bill that would halt payments to state officials if the Pennsylvania budget is not passed by July 1. The proposed legislation aims to ensure accountability among legislators and the governor during budget negotiations.

Cooper emphasized the importance of timely budgeting, stating, “Responsible budgeting is Government 101. Harrisburg has its core services and functions and when we don’t have a budget in place to begin a fiscal year, those services, such as programs for special needs populations, education and food banks, are at risk of being disrupted.” She added that Pennsylvanians deserve better than an "inexcusable process" that affects vulnerable groups while lawmakers continue receiving their salaries.

The current budget talks between majority parties in both legislative chambers and Governor Josh Shapiro have stalled. As a result, neither chamber plans to reconvene until September unless an agreement is reached sooner. Cooper is among 12 House members who declined their July salaries and one of two committed to doing the same in August.

The bill proposes suspending compensation for the governor, lieutenant governor, and General Assembly members during any budget deadlock. Cooper expressed her frustration with the delay: “My motivation is simple; right now, we have a missed deadline, and worse yet, there seems to be a lack of urgency to complete the job as soon as possible.”

Cooper represents Pennsylvania's 55th Legislative District, which includes several cities and townships such as Arnold, Lower Burrell (part), New Kensington, Bell Township, Derry Township (part), Loyalhanna Township, Salem Township, Upper Burrell Township, Washington Township; boroughs like Avonmore, Delmont, Export; New Alexandria; Oklahoma Borough; and Murrysville Municipality.