Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 14:08
Causer Applauds Energy, Economic Improvements in PA Budget Deal
Nov. 12, 2025
HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) issued the following statement after voting "yes" to a series of bills making up the 2025-26 state budget package.
"When it comes to the state budget, it's about much more than just numbers. It represents the state's prioirities for the year ahead and beyond.
"This year's budget finally removes roadblocks and puts policies in place that will allow our energy industry to reach its full potential. Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse, but we've missed out on thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth in recent years because of slow permitting and the threat of higher costs associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This budget agreement sets new standards for permitting and permanently removes the state from RGGI.
"Energy is the key to our region's future, as well as the future of the Commonwealth and our nation. With increased electrification and the growth of data centers, the demand for electricity is rising. Costs are rising as well, but the reliability of our electric grid is declining because older electric generation facilities are going offline and being replaced by newer, less reliable ones. The changes made in the budget agreement will allow us to effectively pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy to benefit consumers and the economy."
"I am also encouraged by policy changes to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are going to those who truly need them, and not to people who seek to defraud the system. Those commonsense changes include requiring the Department of Human Services, which administers the benefit programs, to cross check its records with death certificates filed with the Department of Health and income and employment records filed with the Department of Labor and Industry. It also calls for an evaluation of efforts to move to a chip-enabled electronic benefits card to enhance security.
"In the end, this budget still spends more than I think it should, but it did cut $1.4 billion from the governor's original proposal and still funds the core functions of government with key investments in education, health care and public safety. It also leaves our Rainy Day Fund intact to cover future economic downturns.
"With the next budget cycle just a couple months away, I will continue to advocate for responsible spending and policies that support the needs of rural communities like ours."
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
[email protected]
RepCauser.com / Facebook.com/RepCauser
"When it comes to the state budget, it's about much more than just numbers. It represents the state's prioirities for the year ahead and beyond.
"This year's budget finally removes roadblocks and puts policies in place that will allow our energy industry to reach its full potential. Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse, but we've missed out on thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth in recent years because of slow permitting and the threat of higher costs associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This budget agreement sets new standards for permitting and permanently removes the state from RGGI.
"Energy is the key to our region's future, as well as the future of the Commonwealth and our nation. With increased electrification and the growth of data centers, the demand for electricity is rising. Costs are rising as well, but the reliability of our electric grid is declining because older electric generation facilities are going offline and being replaced by newer, less reliable ones. The changes made in the budget agreement will allow us to effectively pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy to benefit consumers and the economy."
"I am also encouraged by policy changes to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are going to those who truly need them, and not to people who seek to defraud the system. Those commonsense changes include requiring the Department of Human Services, which administers the benefit programs, to cross check its records with death certificates filed with the Department of Health and income and employment records filed with the Department of Labor and Industry. It also calls for an evaluation of efforts to move to a chip-enabled electronic benefits card to enhance security.
"In the end, this budget still spends more than I think it should, but it did cut $1.4 billion from the governor's original proposal and still funds the core functions of government with key investments in education, health care and public safety. It also leaves our Rainy Day Fund intact to cover future economic downturns.
"With the next budget cycle just a couple months away, I will continue to advocate for responsible spending and policies that support the needs of rural communities like ours."
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
[email protected]
RepCauser.com / Facebook.com/RepCauser
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