Boscola Supports State Budget with No New State Tax Increases, Continued Investments in Schools, Jobs and Infrastructure

Boscola Supports State Budget with No New State Tax Increases, Continued Investments in Schools, Jobs and Infrastructure

July 13, 2026

HARRISBURG, PA - July 12, 2026 - State Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today voted in favor of Pennsylvania's 2026-27 state budget, a bipartisan agreement that holds the line on state taxes while providing property-tax relief and investing in public education, workforce development, infrastructure and essential services.

"Families are already stretched by the rising cost of groceries, utilities, health care and housing. The last thing they need is Harrisburg asking them for more," Boscola said. "I voted for this budget because it holds the line on state taxes and invests in priorities that make a real difference in people's lives."

During the 2026-27 fiscal year, Pennsylvania will provide more than $1 billion in state-funded school property-tax relief for homeowners. Combined with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and people with disabilities, total state-funded property-tax relief will exceed $1.3 billion.

"I have fought for years to deliver meaningful property-tax relief, particularly for seniors and families struggling to remain in their homes," Boscola said. "This funding provides real help, but relief is not the same as reform. I will continue pushing for a fairer system that reduces our overreliance on homeowners to fund public education."

The budget also delivers approximately $8.87 million more than last year to school districts in the 18th Senatorial District. Since FY 2022-23, annual state education funding for those districts has increased by more than 34%, or $53 million.

"I have fought hard to increase the state share of funding for our local schools," Boscola said. "Over the last four budgets, we have increased annual funding by more than $53 million, providing additional resources for students, teachers and classroom programs while helping relieve pressure on local property taxpayers."

The spending plan continues investments across Pennsylvania's workforce and economic-development pipeline. It supports the Pennsylvania First Program, which helps attract business investment and create jobs; Main Street Matters, which strengthens downtowns and neighborhood business districts; and the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, which supports emerging technologies and growing companies.

The budget also maintains funding for Pennsylvania's community colleges and career and technical education equipment grants, while increasing funding for career and technical education programs.

"Workforce development cannot begin and end with a four-year degree," Boscola said. "We need strong community colleges and career and technical schools, modern equipment for hands-on training, and economic-development programs that help Pennsylvania businesses start, grow and hire. This budget invests across that entire pipeline."

The budget also provides $775 million in one-time funding to accelerate local road and bridge projects that have already been planned in communities across Pennsylvania.

"Safe and reliable roads and bridges are essential to our communities and our economy," Boscola said. "This funding will move planned projects forward faster, support good-paying jobs and strengthen the infrastructure that Pennsylvania families and businesses rely upon every day."

Boscola said the final budget agreement does not address every challenge facing the Commonwealth but represents a responsible compromise that delivers meaningful results for Pennsylvania families.

"This is a responsible budget, negotiated by a divided government and keeps Pennsylvania on the right track, that is why I supported it," Boscola said.

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