Jun. 25, 2021
HARRISBURG – Reps. Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) and Mike Peifer (R-Pike/Wayne) provided the following statement following the passage of the 2021-22 Pennsylvania state budget.
“The foundation for Pennsylvania’s state government is to pass a balanced budget by June 30 of each year with the approval of the House, Senate, and ultimately the governor. This year’s $40 billion spending plan allocates money to keep the state fully operational which includes funding our judiciary system, corrections, county governments, education and health and human services to name a few. This year we did experience unforeseen and unexpected expenditures for the health and human service operations in our Commonwealth from the pandemic.
“Through timely budgetary process and due diligence we have once again passed a budget with vast bipartisan support. With assistance from federal dollars, we have not only vastly increased funding to preK-12 education, infrastructure and nursing homes but also invested over $2.5 billion in our Rainy Day Fund and additional funds for future uses in our budget processes. We accomplished this without raising any taxes or fees on Pennsylvania taxpayers and looking to protect that in the future as well. This budget is a great example of our Legislature showcasing fiscal responsibility.”
The 2021-22 State Budget funding included:
Education:
Basic Education received $7 billion ($300 million increase).
Early Childhood Education received $311.5 million ($30 million increase).
Special Education received $1.24 billion ($50 million increase).
$350 million was allocated to learning loss, summer enrichment and after school programs.
Infrastructure:
Critical road and bridge projects received $279 million.
Protecting Most Vulnerable Citizens:
Nursing homes, assisted living and personal care homes received $282 million.
The budget will also allow for our Pennsylvania State Police to train two new cadet classes, which will add up to an additional 180 troopers to protect Commonwealth communities.
Additional information concerning the 2021-22 state budget can be found by visiting
www.pahousegop.com/2122PAbudget.
Representative Mike Peifer
139th District
Representative Rosemary M. Brown
189th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives