City of Erie must face structural deficits head-on
After six years without an increase in property taxes, the predictable has happened: Erie’s preliminary 2026 budget projects a 32% increase in the tax rate over the next several years, starting with a one mill increase next year followed by increases each year through 2030. The cumulative increase could be even larger if the city is unable to pull off a roughly $2.5 million reduction in salaries and wages planned, according to city budget projections for 2030.
It is no wonder that the city applied in May of this year to again participate in the state’s Early Intervention Program, seeking funding from Harrisburg to create a second strategic financial plan as a follow-up to the first plan completed in 2019. This is a good idea and necessary. The city’s application cites “looming structural deficits of $9.3 million in 2026, $11.5 million in 2027, $12.3 million in 2028 and $13.3 million in 2029.”
More: Devlin plans to continue practice of using multi-year fiscal projections in Erie’s budget
But a good plan can be made even better through open and ongoing communication with residents about the city’s financial challenges and the strategy to tackle them. The city’s budget process, for example, should include a focus on the structural deficits. Does the annual budget reflect progress toward reducing structural deficits? If not, why not?
The seal of the city of Erie is displayed on the north wall of the Bagnoni Council Chambers at Erie City Hall. Here, a city resident urges a frank, public discussion of the city’s financial challenges.
But it seems that the city government has been mostly reluctant to take this issue head-on in public. By utilizing certain one-time revenue sources, in combination sometimes with just good luck, Erie recently has been able to balance the annual budget and, in so doing, avoid a frank, public discussion of the city’s underlying financial problems. Until now. With a tax increase planned for 2026 — the first of several in the coming years — the problem has to be front and center; but I am confident Erie residents will work with our elected leaders on our fiscal challenges, including accepting necessary tax increases, provided city officials are open and honest with them.
David Forrest, Erie
Erie child care center to host education students
Barb’s Child Care Center is celebrating a milestone — 1 1/2 years of serving Erie’s children and families. We credit that success to powerful community partnerships. Support from organizations such as the Crime Victim Center, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, the Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation, Diverse Erie, Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority, Erie Insurance, and the city of Erie have kept us operating. But what truly sets us apart is collaboration.
Barb’s Child Care Center is now a co-op site with the Erie School District, providing education students field hours. This collaboration could land them free college tuition if they commit to 25 hours of work in a child care setting while in school. This initiative was championed by Daria Devlin, soon-to-be mayor of Erie, whose passion for public schools and students drove the connection between the center and Erie public schools. This isn’t just a win for our business. To me, it’s proof that Daria’s roots and love for the community remain strong, even as she steps into a bigger role. Her hands-on commitment shows me that thriving communities need collaboration, not just policies.
A heartfelt thank you to Phillip Askins and all those from Erie public schools who spent over a year working alongside Barb’s Child Care Center to make this co-op a reality.
Efforts like this make Erie special — a place where businesses and residents support each other through challenges and successes.
At Barb’s Child Care Center, we aim to change lives for children of all ages and we are growing. We’re hiring; we’re enrolling, and we’re proving that together, we’re stronger. There is so much love and support here; Erie is a special place to live and do business.
To me, business is not about being a millionaire; it’s about having a million impactful moments.
Mary Euell, Erie, owner of Barb’s Child Care
Pa. budget did little to help caregivers
This is not leadership — it’s abandonment.
That’s the only way to describe Pennsylvania’s new budget deal, which funds raises for just 6% of homecare workers while leaving 94% of caregivers — and the seniors, people with disabilities and medically fragile children they serve — behind.
Every month, more than 112,500 shifts of care go unfilled, and one in four authorized nursing hours never takes place. Families across the commonwealth are already struggling to find help at home. This budget guarantees more people will be left with the stress of inadequate coverage for home care services.
Two independent, taxpayer-funded studies — commissioned by Governor Shapiro and the legislature —have already shown what’s needed to stabilize the system and prevent more costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements — more than $800 million fix to catch up after two decades of refusing to meaningfully address the industry in budget discussions.
Yet lawmakers chose politics over people this past week, providing just $21 million out of the $370 million that advocates identified as the minimum first step to support this workforce and reinforce the foundation of care that every Pennsylvanian deserves — care at home.
While lawmakers were signing a budget that ignored direct care workers, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association was celebrating them at the 2025 annual Direct Care Worker of the Year Award ceremony. The winner, Celeste, stood in front of a crowd of her peers and spoke through tears, “This is for every patient I’ve cared for that has passed — everything I do is for them.”
A regional winner, Tamara, stated, “I am so grateful for my agency — the way they support and recognize me. In my life, I’ve never felt so valued.”
These are the compassionate and caring individuals who make our communities stronger.
Even in a difficult fiscal year, failing to invest in home care is indefensible. Protecting access to care and supporting the workforce that delivers it must be a top priority for Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Joe Pittman, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and every member of the legislature in the 2026–27 budget. Pennsylvania can no longer afford to fall further behind while other states strengthen their home care systems. The path forward is clear — the cost of inaction will be far greater, for our families, our hospitals and our communities.
Mia Haney, chief executive officer, Pennsylvania Homecare Association
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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Readers weigh in on city of Erie, Pa. budgets, child care | Letters