Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 13:28
Rowe Votes ‘Yes’ to Major Republican Policy Victories in State Budget
Nov. 12, 2025
HARRISBURG - State Rep. David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata) released the following statement after final passage of the 2025-26 state budget:
"From the very beginning of this budget cycle, House Republicans have been advocating for three main priorities: boosting our energy economy, increasing school choice opportunities, and providing for benefit integrity. While this budget spends more than I had hoped for at $50.1 billion, it also accomplishes all three of those goals.
"For the past year, as chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, I have held hearings across Pennsylvania to hear directly from consumers, employers, and energy producers about how state energy policies are impacting them. Their message was consistent and unmistakable: the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a $1 billion tax on energy generators, which would have been directly passed along to Pennsylvania taxpayers.
"For too long, Pennsylvanians have shouldered the cost of misguided energy policy. Today, we removed one of the biggest impediments to affordability. By withdrawing from RGGI, we will unleash Pennsylvania's tremendous energy potential and create thousands of jobs. I voted 'yes' on this budget because affordable, reliable energy isn't a luxury. It's the foundation of opportunity.
"I am also proud of how this budget compromise will expand school choice options by doubling the amount for scholarships for students who attend economically disadvantaged schools. The budget also preserves cyber charter schools by limiting funding cuts. Our students deserve unbridled access to a quality education that can help them achieve the American dream. The budget approved today helps meet that goal.
"Finally, the benefit integrity measures outlined in this budget will ensure taxpayer-funded benefits go to those who truly need them. Some of those safeguards will require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to cross reference death certificates; income and employment records; lottery records, and more with other state agencies to guarantee eligibility. By taking these necessary steps, we can ensure tax dollars are being allocated honestly and helping the most vulnerable in our communities.
"While I have been an opponent of overspending for years, I recognize that this budget deal eliminates the greatest barrier to economic growth in Pennsylvania: that's RGGI. The policy wins in this budget will help put the Commonwealth on solid financial footing for years to come.
"In many ways, this budget echoes President Trump's economic philosophy and seeks to grow the economy to outgrow deficit spending and prevent future tax increases. For these reasons, I was happy to vote 'yes' on the 2025-26 state budget."
Representative David H. Rowe
85th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nancy Nilson
717-787-3443
[email protected]
www.RepDavidRowe.com\ www.Facebook.com/RepDavidRowe
"From the very beginning of this budget cycle, House Republicans have been advocating for three main priorities: boosting our energy economy, increasing school choice opportunities, and providing for benefit integrity. While this budget spends more than I had hoped for at $50.1 billion, it also accomplishes all three of those goals.
"For the past year, as chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, I have held hearings across Pennsylvania to hear directly from consumers, employers, and energy producers about how state energy policies are impacting them. Their message was consistent and unmistakable: the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a $1 billion tax on energy generators, which would have been directly passed along to Pennsylvania taxpayers.
"For too long, Pennsylvanians have shouldered the cost of misguided energy policy. Today, we removed one of the biggest impediments to affordability. By withdrawing from RGGI, we will unleash Pennsylvania's tremendous energy potential and create thousands of jobs. I voted 'yes' on this budget because affordable, reliable energy isn't a luxury. It's the foundation of opportunity.
"I am also proud of how this budget compromise will expand school choice options by doubling the amount for scholarships for students who attend economically disadvantaged schools. The budget also preserves cyber charter schools by limiting funding cuts. Our students deserve unbridled access to a quality education that can help them achieve the American dream. The budget approved today helps meet that goal.
"Finally, the benefit integrity measures outlined in this budget will ensure taxpayer-funded benefits go to those who truly need them. Some of those safeguards will require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to cross reference death certificates; income and employment records; lottery records, and more with other state agencies to guarantee eligibility. By taking these necessary steps, we can ensure tax dollars are being allocated honestly and helping the most vulnerable in our communities.
"While I have been an opponent of overspending for years, I recognize that this budget deal eliminates the greatest barrier to economic growth in Pennsylvania: that's RGGI. The policy wins in this budget will help put the Commonwealth on solid financial footing for years to come.
"In many ways, this budget echoes President Trump's economic philosophy and seeks to grow the economy to outgrow deficit spending and prevent future tax increases. For these reasons, I was happy to vote 'yes' on the 2025-26 state budget."
Representative David H. Rowe
85th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nancy Nilson
717-787-3443
[email protected]
www.RepDavidRowe.com\ www.Facebook.com/RepDavidRowe
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus published this content on November 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 12, 2025 at 19:28 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]