Local lawmakers reacted to the budget proposed Tuesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

State Sen. Dave Argall, R-Schuylkill/Carbon/Luzerne, said Shapiro’s plan represents a 7.1% increase in overall state spending and would exhaust the state’s savings account, the Rainy Day Fund.

“I want to do more to help our students and invest in Pennsylvania’s economy – the key question is what can our taxpayers afford?” Argall said. “This budget proposal is very similar to Governor Wolf’s unsuccessful budget plans. We heard a long wish list of what our governor would like to spend, without a detailed explanation of how to pay for it.”

He added, “We need to be realistic. We cannot follow California and New York down the path of reckless spending. Their choice, now that they have spent down their reserves, is to slash important programs or dramatically increase taxes. We don’t want to make the same mistake here in Pennsylvania.”

Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, said he is concerned with the spending increase.

“(Shapiro) is relying on one-time, non-reoccurring revenue from the reserve funds to fill his deficit spending. This would be a $3.7 billion spending increase. Even the Independent Fiscal Office expressed its concerns with the governor’s budget numbers, projecting larger deficits in future years, exceeding $3 billion beginning in 2025-26 if the state continues its current spending trajectory.”

Heffley added, “This is another budget address full of hidden taxes and no relief for the taxpayers.”

He said Shapiro proposed more than $1 billion for higher education. “But before we give more funding to college institutions, we must examine our K-12 school funding formula and provide tax relief for property owners.”

Rep. Zach Mako, R-Lehigh/Northampton, cited concerns about spending, but also about plans for higher education.

“As co-chair of the Community College Caucus, I believe his plan to merge the Commonwealth’s community colleges with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education makes no sense. I am a graduate of both types of higher education institutions, and they serve completely different purposes. A merger would hamstring the nimbleness of community colleges to quickly adapt and pivot based on workforce development needs,” Mako said.

Mako serves the 183rd District which includes Slatington and Walnutport boroughs.

Rep. Jamie Barton, R-Berks/Schuylkill, said, “The budget proposal product is just south of $50 billion, an increase of 8.4% over last year’s budget. You may ask yourself ‘just how does he plan to pay for all this spending?’ That’s a good question! Unfortunately, Gov. Shapiro didn’t offer solutions in his spending plan, except for legalizing and taxing marijuana, taxing skill games and reducing our prison population by putting drug dealers on the street and expunging their records. At best, these solutions aren’t sustainable. At worst, they’re dangerous.”

“I am of firm belief that in our homes, in our businesses and in our Commonwealth, we can’t just fix problems by spending more money,” he added.

Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton, said, “Being a lifelong resident of Allentown, I have seen firsthand the results of investing in our economy. PA Sites will provide grant funding for businesses to relocate or expand in Pennsylvania, while PA Innovation will go toward entrepreneurs and additional funding for Main Street Matters program, which supports revitalization efforts.” Miller noted funding is proposed for the creation of a veteran’s outreach program.

Miller served on the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission and commended Shapiro’s proposed financing of education for being in line with what the commission recommended.

“One of my top priorities as a BEFC member was making sure our education facilities are repaired. So many of our students and staff are subjected to toxic schools, which are not adequate vessels to learn and work,” said Miller. “The governor’s budget suggests $480 million to repair school buildings, create safe Miller said the investments in statewide mass transit will help the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority to get to work or school,” said Miller. LANTA also provides rides in Carbon County.

The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings starting Tuesday, Feb. 20, to examine the details of the governor’s plan and how state departments and agencies are spending their funding. The General Assembly and governor face a June 30 deadline to finalize the budget.