Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
02/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/03/2026 13:37
Owlett, Pickett Comment on Governor’s Budget Address
Feb. 03, 2026
HARRISBURG - Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) offered the following response to Gov. Josh Shapiro's $53.26 billion state budget proposal delivered Tuesday during a joint session of the General Assembly. The plan represents a $2.72 billion, or 5.4%, increase over the current year's spending.
"The governor has again presented us with an unrealistic and unsustainable budget proposal. While he wants to spend $53.26 billion, revenue estimates indicate we'll collect far less than that at just $46.8 billion. How will the governor make up the difference? He is again calling for new taxes and regulation of skill games, as well as legalization of recreational marijuana. And he wants to take nearly 60% of the state's Rainy Day Fund, which severely impacts our ability to protect taxpayers in case of future emergencies or economic downturn.
"If we sound like a broken record, it's because this budget is more of the same from this governor. The numbers are different, but the approach is unchanged. We simply can't keep spending more than we take in. If we do, the end result will be higher taxes on our hardworking people in the Northern Tier and across the state. People cannot afford to send more money to Harrisburg - and they shouldn't have to.
"When our current fiscal year's budget was finally adopted in November, it included some significant policy changes that are creating opportunities for economic growth in our Commonwealth. We need to do more of that with this upcoming budget to generate the revenue needed to properly support our school kids, families, senior citizens, farmers, health care providers, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, employers and more.
"We will continue fighting for a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes the needs of the Northern Tier."
The governor's budget address serves as the first step in the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings starting the week of Feb. 23 to delve into the details of the budget. A final spending plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year is due by June 30.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th Legislative District
RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett
Representative Clint Owlett
68th Legislative District
www.RepOwlett.com / www.Facebook.com/RepOwlett
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pickett Media Contact: Kalie Morrow 717-772-9824
Owlett Media Contact: Patricia Hippler 717-772-9846
"The governor has again presented us with an unrealistic and unsustainable budget proposal. While he wants to spend $53.26 billion, revenue estimates indicate we'll collect far less than that at just $46.8 billion. How will the governor make up the difference? He is again calling for new taxes and regulation of skill games, as well as legalization of recreational marijuana. And he wants to take nearly 60% of the state's Rainy Day Fund, which severely impacts our ability to protect taxpayers in case of future emergencies or economic downturn.
"If we sound like a broken record, it's because this budget is more of the same from this governor. The numbers are different, but the approach is unchanged. We simply can't keep spending more than we take in. If we do, the end result will be higher taxes on our hardworking people in the Northern Tier and across the state. People cannot afford to send more money to Harrisburg - and they shouldn't have to.
"When our current fiscal year's budget was finally adopted in November, it included some significant policy changes that are creating opportunities for economic growth in our Commonwealth. We need to do more of that with this upcoming budget to generate the revenue needed to properly support our school kids, families, senior citizens, farmers, health care providers, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, employers and more.
"We will continue fighting for a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes the needs of the Northern Tier."
The governor's budget address serves as the first step in the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings starting the week of Feb. 23 to delve into the details of the budget. A final spending plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year is due by June 30.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th Legislative District
RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett
Representative Clint Owlett
68th Legislative District
www.RepOwlett.com / www.Facebook.com/RepOwlett
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pickett Media Contact: Kalie Morrow 717-772-9824
Owlett Media Contact: Patricia Hippler 717-772-9846
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