State Representative Wendy Fink of Red Lion has explained her decision to vote against the final passage of Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 state budget. In a statement, Fink said she could not support a spending plan that exceeds what she considers responsible limits.
“When I took office in 2023, I promised the residents of District 94 that I would never agree to a budget that spends beyond our means. Despite some Republican policy wins outlined in the final compromise, I still had to honor that promise and vote ‘no,’” Fink stated.
Fink noted her earlier efforts during the budget process to advocate for a spending cap at $47.9 billion. She said this approach was well received by many Pennsylvanians but did not gain much support among Democrats in Harrisburg. The approved budget totals $50.1 billion, which Fink believes funds programs her constituents should not be required to pay for.
She highlighted one aspect of the new budget she supports: Pennsylvania’s withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). “The one major victory in this budget deal, is Pennsylvania’s withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This is important for two reasons. Not only does it end an unnecessary $1 billion tax that inflated consumer energy bills; it also reasserts the power of the General Assembly by putting the power back in the hands of the people. Former Gov. Tom Wolf entered Pennsylvania into this energy compact without prior legislative approval. We’ve suffered the consequences of that decision for too long. It’s time to unleash Pennsylvania’s full energy potential and grow our energy markets. This is one aspect of the budget I am proud to support,” Fink said.
Despite supporting this measure, Fink reiterated her opposition to what she described as excessive overall spending: “Despite our withdrawal from RGGI, I had to honor the expectations of my constituents and vote against the 2025-26 budget. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. Government must learn from those it serves and budget within the state’s means. No budget is perfect, but my constituents deserve and expect better of their elected officials. I will not abandon their fiscal values to approve a spend-heavy budget.”
For more information about Rep. Wendy Fink’s work or statements, visit RepWendyFink.com or Facebook.com/RepWendyFink.
