HARRISBURG: –Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) made the following statement regarding the Governor’s FY 2026-2027 budget proposal.
“As Chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, I was pleased to hear Governor Shapiro support my artificial intelligence legislation to ensure age verification and parental consent when using chatbots and to require identification when minors reference self-harm or violence toward others and immediately route those concerns to appropriate authorities. I was also glad the Governor agrees with my amendment to ensure local control allowing communities to decide whether they want a data center in their community.
In addition, I applaud efforts to increase resources for education, including funding for career and technical schools.
Unfortunately, Governor Shapiro’s $53.3 billion budget proposal spends too much, counting on revenues that have not been approved in prior budgets, and steers the state ever closer to a massive tax increase. Governor Shapiro’s budget includes $2.7 billion in new spending and takes $4.6 billion out of the state’s emergency reserves in the Rainy-Day Fund.
The people of the 24th senate district, which I represent sent me here to be a good fiscal steward of their hard-earned tax dollars. Every week, I meet with families and businesses struggling to make ends meet. As costs rise, we must do more to protect taxpayers from excessive spending. Unlike the Federal government, Pennsylvania cannot simply pass an unbalanced budget. We are required by the state constitution to ensure expenditures and revenues are balanced.
Pennsylvanians deserve an honest accounting of the state’s financial position and a clear picture of what the governor’s spending plans would mean for hardworking families throughout the Commonwealth. This budget does not provide that clarity. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue work to protect Pennsylvanians hard earned tax dollars.”
CONTACT: Lidia Di Fiore (215) 541-2388