Unsustainable. Unaffordable. Alarming. Rash.
Those were some of the descriptions of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $51.47 billion state budget outlined Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly.
“The level of spending is way too high,” said state Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint. “To say I find the governor’s proposed spending amount alarming would be an understatement. If enacted, this plan would fully deplete the state’s surplus funds and would again dip into the Rainy Day Fund, as well as require revenue from new taxes on things like marijuana and skill games. The governor again wants to spend more than we bring in. It is simply not sustainable.”
Causer added, “It looks like he’s trying to throw money at everything.”
That doesn’t — and can’t — work.
“I think the thing the governor is missing is the people who foot the bill are all tightening their belts and buying only what their families need,” he continued, “and the governor wants to go on a spending spree.
“Just paying for groceries and medication, people are already paying more,” Causer said. The government can’t spend freely when there’s no way people can support it.
As for revenue from legalizing marijuana, Causer said he’s not in favor of legalization. Pennsylvania shouldn’t do it because everyone else is, he said.
“I do not think that’s the right thing to do,” he said. The attitude of “we should do it too so we can get the tax revenue” isn’t right, he said, adding, “We shouldn’t do it just for tax money. I just think that would take us in the wrong direction.”
Causer continued, “There is a better way forward. First and foremost, we need to focus on funding the core functions of government. That would include investments in things like education, rural healthcare, and public safety and emergency services. We should not be growing the size and cost of government when our families and businesses are struggling to balance their own budgets.
“That said, there’s no question costs are on the rise. Rather than further burdening our taxpayers to meet those rising costs, we must be focused on growing our economy, and growing our energy industry would be a great place to start. While Pennsylvania is already an energy powerhouse, we have the potential to be so much more if we can get government out of the way.”
Rep. Mike Armanini, R-DuBois, spoke about the potential natural gas has for the good of Pennsylvania’s economy.
“Where is the discussion on energy? Energy is very important for Pennsylvania,” he said. “We need to take advantage of being the second largest producer of natural gas in the world. We need to start exporting that to continue to grow with the cleanest natural gas that God has put on this planet.”
The legislator continued, “It’s just worrying me that everything he’s putting into place is not going to grow Pennsylvania without growing natural gas.
“We need to start exporting that energy from Pennsylvania to Europe and other parts of the world. In my opinion that is something he did not really get into. Come on, Governor, natural gas, let’s go.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition president Jim Welty continued the discussion on energy.
“Gov. Shapiro correctly recognizes the importance of Pennsylvania energy to our economy and quality of life. In today’s budget address, the governor cited a litany of examples where Pennsylvania trails our neighbors in performance. Energy development – specifically natural gas and power generation – is a notable exception.
“To lead on energy requires our elected officials – representing more than 120,000 Pennsylvanians working across the natural gas industry – to embrace and support our sector’s outsized contributions to our Commonwealth. Leadership also requires advancing policies that encourage responsible domestic natural gas production and use, which is overwhelmingly supported by Pennsylvania voters.”
Welty said while the industry appreciates “a renewed focus on permitting and regulatory reform,” programs that Shapiro proposed would undercut the benefits of natural gas.
“Imposing new energy taxes and electricity mandates that intentionally sideline natural gas not only impedes our ability to attract job-creating capital investment, but it drives up energy costs for consumers while threatening power reliability by exacerbating an already fragile electric grid,” he said. “The MSC and its members stand ready to work with the governor and the General Assembly to advance common sense policies that position Pennsylvania as an American and global energy leader.”
Commonwealth Foundation Chief Policy Officer Nathan Benefield said Shapiro called for rash spending hikes, big bailouts for mass transit, more corporate welfare subsidies and new energy taxes.
“Gov. Shapiro’s massive spending proposal imposes new taxes and creates a massive deficit that will inevitably lead to even more tax hikes on working families. His proposal exacerbates the existing budget deficit with dramatic spending increases and unrealistic revenue assumptions.”
He continued, “As residents continue to flee the Keystone State for better opportunities, lawmakers need to address the imbalanced budget and focus on the promotion of energy expansion and economic growth.
“Pennsylvania families should be wary of Shapiro’s budget. It would necessitate tax hikes on hardworking families and result in a less prosperous Commonwealth.”
Causer reminded that this is simply the start of the state budget process. Over the next few weeks, Appropriations committees in both the House and Senate will conduct a series of hearings with state agencies to dig into the details of his plan. Members will use that information to craft a final spending plan. A final budget is due by June 30.
