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In this Update:
Hutchinson Opposes Bloated Budget
Although I am pleased that the 2026-2027 State Budget is completed much earlier than last year, allowing state government funds to be distributed on a timely schedule, I remain deeply concerned about the longer-term trajectory of the growth of government spending. It is an improvement over Governor Shapiro’s irresponsible proposal announced back in February, but the finalized amount of $ 52.2 Billion is still far too much and it leaves taxpayers facing a larger structural deficit. Despite gimmicks like paying overdue bills totaling $2.6 Billion in different fiscal years to make this year’s budget look more balanced, the bottom line is that the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office says this budget spends $5 Billion more than the amount of revenue coming in. This is an unfortunate ongoing trend. Two years ago, the state spent $3.4 Billion more than the revenue coming in, and last year spending was $4.5 Billion more than revenue. Using one-time revenue sources to fund ongoing government programs doesn’t work in the long run, whether that one-time revenue is called Federal Covid funding or the Rainy Day Fund. Eventually there will be no more one-time revenue, and then there will be proposals to raise taxes. I believe that most taxpayers want us to live within our means. Urgent Action Needed to Keep PA Communities Safe
Nearly 1,200 people convicted of second-degree murder in Pennsylvania could be released if the state House of Representatives doesn’t act by Friday, July 24. In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the current sentencing structure for second-degree murder is unconstitutional and gave the General Assembly 120 days to enact legislation correcting the situation. The Senate has successfully passed bipartisan legislation to address this issue – legislation supported by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania District Attorneys and the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. In Pennsylvania, second-degree murder (also known as felony murder) involves a homicide committed when the defendant engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony. In other words, homicides committed while the defendant was also committing another crime such as rape, arson, robbery, burglary or kidnapping. These are serious and horrific crimes, and the safety of our communities is at stake. It’s time for the House to join us in taking urgent action. |
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