Rep. Tim Bonner from Mercer and Butler counties expressed his dissatisfaction with the state’s inability to pass a new budget by the constitutional deadline of June 30. In a statement, he criticized Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, which was introduced in February and exceeded existing tax revenue by $5.8 billion.
“It is disturbing that we could not come to a budget agreement in time to meet the June 30 constitutional deadline,” Bonner stated. He argued that the governor’s initial proposal signaled potential issues from the beginning due to its reliance on reserves for general spending.
Bonner highlighted concerns over fiscal responsibility, noting, “The governor’s original budget proposal meant that we would had to dip into our reserves to support general spending requests as we have done in the first two years of his governance.” He labeled this approach as unsustainable and fiscally irresponsible.
Expressing opposition to using reserves for general expenses, Bonner remarked, “Our reserves are meant to cover emergency needs.” He pointed out that during Gov. Shapiro’s tenure, general fund reserves have been reduced by $5.2 billion and warned they might be depleted if current demands continue.
Bonner concluded with a call for prudent financial management: “I have great difficulty accepting any spending plan that fails to keep our government spending in check… We need a balanced budget that avoids spending us toward a financial catastrophe.”
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