(File Photo of State Representative Josh Kail)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania House passed a $50.8 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 yesterday and Representative Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), who voted in favor of the spending plan, issued the following statement:

“Pennsylvania families deserve a state budget that lives within its means. While this budget is far from perfect, it is significantly more responsible than where the process began. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first proposal was a $53.3 billion budget. The final agreement comes in at $50.8 billion – nearly $2.5 billion less than his original request – and will result in no tax increases. This matters because it reflects months of pushing back against excessive spending and insisting on greater fiscal restraint. I would have preferred an even leaner budget, but this agreement includes meaningful investments that directly benefit our communities. It provides nearly $800 million in additional funding for rural roads and bridges, helping improve infrastructure that is essential for public safety, agriculture and economic development across our region. It also spends a historic amount for PreK-12 education, where no school district will see a decrease in funding. Just as importantly, the budget does not raid the state’s Rainy Day Fund, preserving reserves that should be available for true emergencies rather than routine government spending. Revenue projections were also stronger than normal, helping support this budget without relying on one-time withdrawals from our savings. No budget is perfect, and I remain committed to reducing the size and cost of government wherever possible. However, securing a spending plan that is nearly $2.5 billion below the governor’s original proposal, prevents tax increases, protects the Rainy Day Fund, strengthens our infrastructure and reflects stronger-than-expected revenues is a better outcome for Pennsylvania taxpayers than the alternative.”