Butler County News

Republican Representative Stephenie Scialabba has criticized Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year in Pennsylvania. Scialabba expressed disappointment that the budget does not adequately address the state's $1.1 billion deficit and instead relies on unlimited spending.

Scialabba argued that the proposed budget would deplete the state's reserves and Rainy Day Fund, putting Pennsylvania's financial stability at risk. She also highlighted concerns about the impact on taxpayers, stating that "Pennsylvanians would lose more of their hard-earned money to taxation at a time when people are struggling to pay bills."

One of Scialabba's main points of contention was the allocation of funds for education. She suggested that the focus should be on school choice and how money is distributed, rather than simply increasing spending. Scialabba referred to Governor Shapiro's promise to enhance school choice but claimed that the proposed budget would do the opposite. She also questioned the effectiveness of a $1 billion increase in Basic Education Funding, stating that "spending more does not fix the root causes of why students are failing to learn properly."

Scialabba further criticized the current funding system for education, which has been deemed unconstitutional, and expressed skepticism towards the Basic Education Funding Commission's plan, which would require a significant increase in the state income tax rate. She warned that unlimited spending could lead to a bankrupt Commonwealth or higher taxes.

The Representative also highlighted concerns about job loss and population decline in Pennsylvania. Scialabba claimed that Governor Shapiro's plan fails to create a competitive environment for businesses and does not fulfill his promise to reduce the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) rate. She warned that future governors and Pennsylvanians would face the consequences of tax hikes and an empty bank account.

Scialabba concluded by calling the budget proposal a "fiscal failure" and unrealistic. She emphasized the need to find solutions that do not burden taxpayers further and expressed her commitment to working towards an agreed-upon budget that addresses the state's problems.

The proposed budget will undergo a thorough process before being finalized. Pennsylvania residents can find more information on the 2024-25 state budget at www.pahousegop.com.

For media inquiries, please contact Nate Temple at 717.260.6396 or ntemple@pahousegop.com. Representatives Scialabba's official website can be found at RepScialabba.com, and her Facebook page is Facebook.com/StateRepSS.