b'PACEP Advocacy UpdateJonathan P. BigleyPartner, Bigley & BlikleGovernor Shapiro Executivea reserve account that annually accumulates Budget Cheered and Jeeredrevenue for use in special circumstances. On Tuesday, February 2, Punxsutawney Phil saw hisThis is the fourth budget from Governor shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter. OnShapiro that spends more than we take in as a the same day, Governor Josh Shapiro presented hiscommonwealth, is contingent on non-existent Executive Budget to a joint session of the Generalrevenue streams and guarantees a massive Assembly. Given the legislative reactions to Governortax increase next year, said Senate President Shapiros speech, if you feel like weatherman PhilPro Tempore Kim Ward (R, Westmoreland) It is Conners, just remember, it was Groundhog Day. essential that we put the interest and needs of Pennsylvanians first and continue to build on In presenting his $53.26 billion spending plan,our work started in last years budget. Senate Governor Shapiro said, From day one, myRepublicans will be fiscally responsible on behalf Administration has been laser-focused on deliveringof the people of Pennsylvania as our families, our results for the people of Pennsylvaniaand whateconomy and our future depend on it. were doing is working. By listening to PennsylvaniansPennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton and working together, were solving problemscountered, Over the past three years Democrats and proving that government can be a force forhave delivered for Pennsylvanians by cutting taxes good in peoples lives. This budget builds on thefor families, funding our schools, strengthening progress weve made by making smart, responsiblepublic safety, and growing our economy. The investments that strengthen our schools, keepbudget Governor Shapiro outlined today keeps us communities safe, and grow our economy. At a timeon course with smart and thoughtful investments when dysfunction and division seem to dominatein our future, while addressing some of the biggest elsewhere, here in Pennsylvania weve shown that wechallenges impacting our neighbors.can still work together to get stuff done and build on whats workingbecause Pennsylvania is on the rise.The proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 state budget exceeds projected revenues by nearly $4.6 billion.GovernorAlso, it is approximately $3.1 billion more thanJosh Shapiro the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget that settled in at $50.1 billion. It is dependent on new tax revenues from the legalization of adult use recreational cannabis and regulation of skill games that are essentially gambling machines that do not fallPresident Pro Tempore within any definition contained in PennsylvaniasKim L. WardGaming Control Act. Legislation to generate those revenues has not passed the General Assembly. The Shapiro plan also requires $8 billion to be transferred from the $13 billion Rainy Day Fund, House Speaker Joanna E. McClinton8 PACEP News'