Westmoreland Review

Rep. Jill Cooper of Westmoreland has expressed concerns regarding Governor Josh Shapiro's recent budget proposal. Following the governor's address, Cooper highlighted several issues with the proposed $51.47 billion budget, which represents a 7.5% increase from the current fiscal year.

Cooper remarked, "While reviewing Gov. Shapiro’s proposal, the first thing that stands out to me is the overall spend of $51.47 billion; that’s a 7.5% increase over the current fiscal year. Pennsylvanians simply can’t afford to send that much more of their hard-earned dollars to Harrisburg."

A significant point of contention for Cooper is the use of reserves from the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund to cover recurring expenses. She warned that this could lead to future tax increases once those reserves are depleted: "This puts us on a collision course with a tax increase because once those reserves are spent, the only way we can sustain government will be to increase revenue."

Cooper also noted some areas where she agrees with Shapiro's priorities, particularly in public safety and economic development: "Gov. Shapiro’s proposal includes worthwhile investments in police and fire protection, which I certainly support." However, she criticized the lack of funding for ambulance services amid an ongoing fiscal crisis.

Despite her criticisms, Cooper acknowledged shared goals with Governor Shapiro in key areas such as education and public safety but emphasized fiscal responsibility: "I certainly share many of Gov. Shapiro’s funding priorities... But we can’t write blank checks."

The budget proposal marks only the beginning of negotiations, and Cooper stated her intent to collaborate with colleagues on a plan that balances priority commitments with taxpayer protection.