Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
01/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/14/2026 08:36
Slush Funds and Money Trees
Jan. 14, 2026
By Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton)
As a new year dawns over the legislature in Harrisburg and the governor's budget address looms large on the horizon, many Pennsylvanians are already wondering what kind of wild fiscal ride we will be taken on this year.
Back in February of 2025, it was clear from the outset that Governor Shapiro's proposed spending would far exceed the amount of revenue being taken in for the year.
He made no bones about the fact that his plan hinged on the hope that two, as of yet unrealized, bills would become law and save the day. He was counting on (1.) the legalization of recreational marijuana and (2.) the taxation of skill games to bring in gobs of money. However, when that didn't happen, frustration in Harrisburg began to grow.
And so commenced a mighty struggle. A tug of war, a push and a pull. Back and forth, with a bruising battle that dragged on and on and on … for months.
On one side, were the big spenders who said, "Let's spend it all now! Live for today. We can always get more from the taxpayers later."
And on the other side, were those saying just the opposite, "Let's live within our means for now and hang onto our savings for the Rainy Days ahead!" Neither side wanted to budge.
Eventually a solution was found and a deal was struck!
And with that deal, an amazing new detail came to light. A tiny detail, so secretly guarded, that no one thought to mention it before. Certainly no one mentioned it before the June 30 deadline!
It seems the governor knew and could offer that a slush fund existed with money that could be brought to the table to fill in the gap! Millions of dollars had been lying dormant - yet, available all along!
So now what? We need to know how much money still remains slushing around the Capitol. Is it money that can be used when considering this year's and future budgets?
Unless a "Money Tree" starts to grow in Harrisburg, everyone from the governor on down needs to be dealing in "reality." How much money we actually have available affects how much money we can actually spend.
We need to have an answer. In order to avoid the trauma of the past, we must know NOW…. before the 2026 governor's budget address.
Representative Milou Mackenzie
131st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Will Jones
717.260.6615
[email protected]
RepMilouMackenziePA.com | Facebook.com/RepMilouMackenzie
As a new year dawns over the legislature in Harrisburg and the governor's budget address looms large on the horizon, many Pennsylvanians are already wondering what kind of wild fiscal ride we will be taken on this year.
Back in February of 2025, it was clear from the outset that Governor Shapiro's proposed spending would far exceed the amount of revenue being taken in for the year.
He made no bones about the fact that his plan hinged on the hope that two, as of yet unrealized, bills would become law and save the day. He was counting on (1.) the legalization of recreational marijuana and (2.) the taxation of skill games to bring in gobs of money. However, when that didn't happen, frustration in Harrisburg began to grow.
And so commenced a mighty struggle. A tug of war, a push and a pull. Back and forth, with a bruising battle that dragged on and on and on … for months.
On one side, were the big spenders who said, "Let's spend it all now! Live for today. We can always get more from the taxpayers later."
And on the other side, were those saying just the opposite, "Let's live within our means for now and hang onto our savings for the Rainy Days ahead!" Neither side wanted to budge.
Eventually a solution was found and a deal was struck!
And with that deal, an amazing new detail came to light. A tiny detail, so secretly guarded, that no one thought to mention it before. Certainly no one mentioned it before the June 30 deadline!
It seems the governor knew and could offer that a slush fund existed with money that could be brought to the table to fill in the gap! Millions of dollars had been lying dormant - yet, available all along!
So now what? We need to know how much money still remains slushing around the Capitol. Is it money that can be used when considering this year's and future budgets?
Unless a "Money Tree" starts to grow in Harrisburg, everyone from the governor on down needs to be dealing in "reality." How much money we actually have available affects how much money we can actually spend.
We need to have an answer. In order to avoid the trauma of the past, we must know NOW…. before the 2026 governor's budget address.
Representative Milou Mackenzie
131st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Will Jones
717.260.6615
[email protected]
RepMilouMackenziePA.com | Facebook.com/RepMilouMackenzie
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus published this content on January 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 14, 2026 at 14:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]