Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 14:28
Stender Supports State Budget to Protect Energy Jobs, Expand Education Access, Safeguard Taxpayer Dollars
Nov. 12, 2025
HARRISBURG - Rep. Michael Stender (R-Montour/Northumberland) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the 2025-26 state budget:
"This year's budget came with tough decisions. At $50.1 billion, it spends more than I would prefer. But in the end, it delivers several important priorities: protecting energy jobs, expanding school choice and making sure public assistance is going to the right people.
"One of the most significant wins in this budget is withdrawing Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). I have spoken with workers, employers and families throughout our district who made it clear RGGI would raise utility bills and threatened good-paying jobs. In practice, RGGI is a tax on consumers.
"Backing out of RGGI removes a harmful barrier to economic growth and helps keep energy affordable for families. This move protects both our economy and the hardworking people behind it.
"This budget also doubles funding for scholarship programs that help students in underperforming schools find better opportunities. That is real help for families that feel stuck in a system that is not meeting their child's needs.
"In addition, the budget blocks deep cuts to cyber charter schools, something that would have hurt many families who rely on those schools for their child's education. This approach keeps education flexible and centered on students.
"Another key reason I voted 'yes,' is the inclusion of stronger benefit integrity measures. The budget requires the Department of Human Services to cross-check data like death certificates, income records and other information to verify eligibility for benefits. That is just common sense.
"These steps help ensure taxpayer dollars are going to the people who truly need them, not being wasted or abused.
"I have always believed we need to be responsible with how we spend taxpayer money. This budget is not perfect, and it includes more spending than I would like. But it also eliminates one of the biggest threats to our state economy, delivers real wins for students and families, and takes steps to safeguard the integrity of public assistance."
Representative Michael Stender
108th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Will Patterson
267-688-2590
[email protected]
RepStender.com / Facebook.com/RepStender
"This year's budget came with tough decisions. At $50.1 billion, it spends more than I would prefer. But in the end, it delivers several important priorities: protecting energy jobs, expanding school choice and making sure public assistance is going to the right people.
"One of the most significant wins in this budget is withdrawing Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). I have spoken with workers, employers and families throughout our district who made it clear RGGI would raise utility bills and threatened good-paying jobs. In practice, RGGI is a tax on consumers.
"Backing out of RGGI removes a harmful barrier to economic growth and helps keep energy affordable for families. This move protects both our economy and the hardworking people behind it.
"This budget also doubles funding for scholarship programs that help students in underperforming schools find better opportunities. That is real help for families that feel stuck in a system that is not meeting their child's needs.
"In addition, the budget blocks deep cuts to cyber charter schools, something that would have hurt many families who rely on those schools for their child's education. This approach keeps education flexible and centered on students.
"Another key reason I voted 'yes,' is the inclusion of stronger benefit integrity measures. The budget requires the Department of Human Services to cross-check data like death certificates, income records and other information to verify eligibility for benefits. That is just common sense.
"These steps help ensure taxpayer dollars are going to the people who truly need them, not being wasted or abused.
"I have always believed we need to be responsible with how we spend taxpayer money. This budget is not perfect, and it includes more spending than I would like. But it also eliminates one of the biggest threats to our state economy, delivers real wins for students and families, and takes steps to safeguard the integrity of public assistance."
Representative Michael Stender
108th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Will Patterson
267-688-2590
[email protected]
RepStender.com / Facebook.com/RepStender
Share
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 20:28 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]