Barton Announces Budget Deal Far More Reasonable than Governor’s Proposal

July 12, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jamie Barton (R-Berks/Schuylkill) issued this statement following House passage of a General Appropriations bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year:

“In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a spending plan north of $53 billion. I’m proud to report that common sense prevailed with the final budget product.

“This agreement spends less than $51 billion, a $1.8 billion increase over last year’s budget. While I still feel that spending is too high, it’s at least a plan Pennsylvania can actually afford, unlike the governor’s original proposal.

“The final product doesn’t touch the Rainy Day Fund, which the governor’s proposal would’ve raided to balance his excessive spending. The Rainy Day Fund also managed to escape unscathed from Shaprio’s proposed “Federal Response Fund,” which may have been the most unnecessary idea of his entire plan.

“Thankfully, this budget corrected another major issue with the governor’s plan, which was relying on projected revenue from the legalization of recreational marijuana. Aside from being federally illegal, we heard horror stories from other states saying much of the revenue brought in by legalization was canceled out by an increase in funding needed for Medicaid and mental health services.
“What this budget does fund is important education initiatives. For example, it provides $10 million for career and technical centers to help address the pervasive waitlists we’re seeing across the Commonwealth. It also expands the “Grow PA” program, which offers funding to eligible in-state students studying for in-demand careers, plus tuition waivers for out-of-state students at state system schools. Grantees must commit to living and working in PA post-graduation, or the funds convert to a repayable loan.

“Finally, I’m happy to see funding in this plan set aside for rural roads and bridge projects. Too often, too much of this kind of funding gets sent to the big cities, leaving rural Pennsylvanians, like us in Berks and Schuylkill counties, behind. That won’t be the case with this round of funding.

“While I still believe the total amount of spending is too high, I think the targeted increases to education and infrastructure will help grow our economy and help erase the need for continual deficit spending.”

Rep. Jamie Barton
124th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jake Gillespie
717.772.9834
JGillespie@pahousegop.com
RepBarton.com / Facebook.com/RepBarton