Opinion
WTAE Editorial: Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal for Pennsylvania
THIS IS A. WTAE EDITORIAL SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD IS CHARLES W. WOLFERTZ III PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF WTAE. GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO UNVEILED THIS YEAR’S STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL. LAWMAKERS WILL BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD OF THE JUNE 30TH DEADLINE TO GET A BUDGET PASSED. GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S SPENDING PROPOSAL OF $53.2 BILLION IS AN INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR’S BUDGET. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES TARGETED TOWARD EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES. THE GOVERNOR’S PLAN ALSO INCLUDES SEVERAL POLICY PRIORITIES MEANT TO RESHAPE FUTURE REVENUES AND SERVICES, INCLUDING LEGALIZATION AND TAXATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS. THE BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES INCREASED SUPPORT FOR MASS TRANSIT FUNDING AND A PHASED MOVE TOWARD A $15 MINIMUM WAGE. FROM A PHYSICAL STANDPOINT, THE PROPOSAL FORESEES A DEFICIT IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT IS BRIDGED WITH SIGNIFICANT WITHDRAWALS FROM THE RAINY DAY FUND TO MEET THE █STATE’S CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR A BALANCED BUDGET. CRITICS, INCLUDING SOME LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS, HAVE UNDERSCORED CONCERNS ABOUT DRAWING DOWN RESERVES AND ASSUMPTIONS BEHIND REVENUE GROWTH PROJECTIONS. WE BELIEVE REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION, OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE BUDGET IS APPROVED BY JUNE 30TH IN AN ELECTION YEAR. LET’S NOT MAKE THIS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL TO TOSS BACK AND FORTH. THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH DESERVE BETTER THAN ANOTHER FOUR MONTH STALEMATE.
Opinion
WTAE Editorial: Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal for Pennsylvania
Updated: 4:13 PM EST Feb 13, 2026
WTAE President & General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III speaks on behalf of the editorial board regarding the top priorities in Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal and the upcoming negotiations by state lawmakers.Tap the video player above to watch the editorial.
WTAE President & General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III speaks on behalf of the editorial board regarding the top priorities in Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal and the upcoming negotiations by state lawmakers.
Tap the video player above to watch the editorial.