North Allegheny News

Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) has released a statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2024-25 state budget proposal. The proposal, which aims to increase state spending by $3.7 billion, or 8.4%, over the current fiscal year, has sparked both agreement and concerns from Mercuri.

Mercuri expressed his agreement with certain aspects of the proposal, stating, "Included in today's proposal are plenty of initiatives I can agree with, including increases in Basic Education Funding, as well as significant investment in health care programs, including mental health services."

However, Mercuri also emphasized the importance of maintaining financial responsibility and balance in spending. He believes that the focus should be on economic competitiveness and making Pennsylvania a more competitive state. Mercuri stated, "The more we allow state spending to grow out of control, the harder it becomes to rein in."

Mercuri expressed concern about the potential consequences of excessive spending, warning that it could lead to taxing increases and fiscal failure in the future. He criticized the proposal for allocating over $2.5 billion in new government spending for expanding or creating more government programs, stating that broken programs do not need more funding but rather solutions to fix their existing shortcomings.

Furthermore, Mercuri highlighted the budget proposal's failure to prioritize fiscal responsibility and build a balance in the Rainy Day Fund to address potential economic downturns. He argued that Pennsylvania is economically well-positioned to address these issues without increasing taxes or jeopardizing future funds.

Despite his concerns, Mercuri acknowledged that the budget proposal is just the beginning of the budgetary process. He expressed his commitment to working with the governor and his colleagues to find common ground and deliver the best results for the 28th House District and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mercuri concluded by stating, "I look forward to taking a more in-depth look at the fine print of this budget and finding much-needed common ground."

The budget proposal will undergo further scrutiny and deliberation in the coming months as members from both sides of the aisle work to find the best outcomes for the Commonwealth.