York County News

Rep. Joe D’Orsie of Manchester expressed dissatisfaction with Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The governor's plan outlines a $51.47 billion spending package, marking a 7.5% increase from the current year's budget.

D’Orsie stated, "I was hopeful that all the talk I’ve heard over the last year about making Pennsylvania competitive would translate into a commonsense budget that protects taxpayers." He criticized the proposal as being filled with "new government programs, taxpayer-funded special interest handouts, and investments" that he believes will be costly to his constituents.

A significant point of contention is the proposed increase in K-12 education spending by $804 million, which D’Orsie noted is significantly higher than what was previously suggested for Lifeline Scholarships. These scholarships aim to assist students in leaving underperforming schools.

D’Orsie also highlighted concerns about the potential elimination of manufacturing tax credit programs, which he argues could negatively impact areas like his own district—a manufacturing hub. He remarked on Gov. Shapiro’s focus on Philadelphia and Pittsburgh at what he perceives as the expense of other regions in Pennsylvania.

Despite his criticisms, D’Orsie acknowledged that this proposal marks only "the beginning of a long road toward a final solution," expressing readiness to collaborate with House colleagues to refine it.

The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to begin hearings on February 18th to scrutinize details of Shapiro's plan and evaluate state agency expenditures.