West Montgomery Times

Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) has voiced her criticism of Governor Josh Shapiro's budget proposal, which aims to increase state spending by $3.7 billion without projected revenue to cover the additional costs. In a statement, Scheuren expressed concern about the impact of growing government programs at a time when Pennsylvania is facing an aging population and a workforce shortage.

Scheuren stated, "Now is not the time to grow government programs. Instead of generating revenue or practicing zero-based budgeting to cut programs that are not working for the Commonwealth, the governor proposes blowing through any General Fund surplus and draining the Rainy Day Fund to pay for all his new spending." She also pointed out that the use of Rainy Day Funds for daily expenditures is not in line with Pennsylvania law, which states that these funds should be reserved for unexpected downturns in the economy or revenue shortfalls.

While Scheuren expressed support for initiatives that invest in the workforce and encourage individuals to settle in Pennsylvania, she believes that these initiatives should not be accompanied by unsustainable spending agendas. She emphasized the need for responsible governance and fiscal responsibility, stating, "Government must live within its means, no different than every household across America."

Drawing from her extensive business experience, Scheuren criticized the governor's budget proposal as irresponsible and misleading to the people of Pennsylvania. She urged for a reevaluation of the excessive spending proposal to prevent the depletion of a surplus that took over a decade to accumulate. Scheuren warned against resorting to major increases in Personal Income Tax levels, as it would be detrimental to Pennsylvania's appeal.

In conclusion, Rep. Donna Scheuren's critique of Governor Josh Shapiro's budget proposal highlights concerns regarding the depletion of emergency funds to grow government programs. She emphasizes the importance of responsible budgeting and urges a reconsideration of the proposed spending agenda.