Feb. 06, 2024 / Press Release
HARRISBURG – Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Crawford) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s address on his proposed $48.34 billion budget for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year, an 8.4% increase in state funding from the prior fiscal year:
“I was disappointed that this budget would drain our reserves and Rainy Day Fund, which House Republicans fought hard to build up in the event of an economic downturn. Taxpayers would lose even more money if this unaffordable, irresponsible and misleading plan were to come to fruition.
“Some of the biggest increases to date include $2.5 billion in new government spending and $1 billion in Basic Education Funding. While it is necessary to fund our educational institutions, there are few evident solutions that would create transformational change to help children improve test scores and better prepare them for the world ahead.
“The budget address is just the first step in a months-long process. While there are some good things in this budget – such as continuing support for our fire and emergency medical services personnel, a 23% increase in funding for four new State Police cadet classes, and a new $15 million line item for industrial site preparation – we have a long way to go to reach an agreement that protects taxpayers and appropriately funds core necessities.”
For more information on the 2024-25 state budget, go to
www.pahousegop.com.
Representative R. Lee James
64th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717-260-6396
Ntemple@pahousegop.com
www.repjames.com