{"id":2399123,"date":"2025-02-05T09:26:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T14:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legislature-response-to-shapiro-budget-address-mixed-spirited-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-05T09:28:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T14:28:58","slug":"legislature-response-to-shapiro-budget-address-mixed-spirited-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legislature-response-to-shapiro-budget-address-mixed-spirited-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislature response to Shapiro budget address mixed, spirited &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flegislature-response-to-shapiro-budget-address-mixed-spirited-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2399123&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the mixed reactions from Pennsylvania legislators regarding Governor Josh\u2063 Shapiro&#8217;s recent budget address,which proposes a significant $3.6\u2064 billion spending increase. House Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat, praised the address\u2064 as a bold vision for advancing the state&#8217;s interests, emphasizing the importance of investments\u2064 in housing, public safety, education, and transit.However, Republican leaders expressed skepticism, questioning how the governor plans to fund the proposed increases, with concerns \u2063about potential budget deficits.<\/p>\n<p>House Majority Leader Matt Bradford acknowledged the challenges facing the Democratic party and emphasized the need to focus on economic growth, even suggesting collaboration on\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/corporate-leaders-plot-to-oppose-changes-in-voting-laws-mock-mitch-mcconnell-on-weekend-mega-call\/\" title=\"Corporate ...s Plot To Oppose Changes In Voting Laws, Mock Mitch McConnell On Weekend Mega-Call\">corporate tax cuts<\/a>. The Republicans, meanwhile, are advocating\u2063 for \u200dless regulation on \u200bfossil fuels and have opposed new revenue sources like skills\u200b games and adult-use marijuana, despite the possibility of exploring these options. <\/p>\n<p>The discussions highlight points of contention, particularly regarding fiscal sustainability, potential social policies like raising the minimum \u200cwage, and the \u200cdiffering priorities of the two \u2064parties. The article closes with a \u200dchallenge\u2062 from Democratic leaders for Republicans to identify cuts if they oppose the proposed budget increases, underscoring the complexities \u200dof reaching bipartisan agreement on the state&#8217;s financial strategies moving\u200c forward.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Legislature response to Shapiro budget address mixed, spirited<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1976718\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Democrats and Republican legislators had a predictably mixed response to Gov. Josh Shapiro&rsquo;s budget proposal, setting the stage for a spirited debate in the coming months of negotiation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, called Shapiro&rsquo;s address &ldquo;a bold plan from a visionary who wants to continue to push Pennsylvanians forward&rdquo; and called upon fellow members not to allow &ldquo;any disinvestment from our communities.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>McClinton highlighted investments in housing, public safety, education and transit made in the past two years and said the party was excited to build on that momentum, regardless of the &ldquo;same old same old&rdquo; objections across the aisle.<\/p>\n<p>Those objections came quickly with Republicans demanding to know how the governor planned to pay for the $3.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">6 billion estimated spending increase outlined<\/a> in Shapiro&rsquo;s address. House Minority Whip Rep. Tim O&rsquo;Neal, R-Washington, echoed McClinton&rsquo;s complaint about the &ldquo;same old&rdquo; coming from the Democratic side.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Where is that money coming from?&rdquo; asked Appropriations Chair Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, who predicted a deficit in two years.<\/p>\n<p>House Majority Leader Matt Bradford, D-Norristown, acknowledged the obstacles his party faces both within the legislature and on the national stage.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are clear-eyed about the challenges in front of us,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This is the time for governing and serious people.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bradford emphasized the need to lean in on economic issues and improve the climate for businesses within the state. He said he was willing to &ldquo;take a page from Republican orthodoxy&rdquo; when it comes to supporting industry by cutting corporate taxes.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats also point toward skills games and adult-use marijuana for potential new streams of income, both moves which Republicans in the legislature have resisted in the past. Though Republican leadership has not ruled them out in this legislative session, they say it&rsquo;s poor governance to count on revenue before it&rsquo;s come in.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, House Minority Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, and his colleagues focused on the state&rsquo;s energy landscape with priority number one being limiting regulations around fossil fuel including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have to get what we have out of the ground and use that here in Pennsylvania. Anything that stands as an impediment to that needs to go away,&rdquo; said Topper.<\/p>\n<p>O&rsquo;Neal called for a &ldquo;bold, balanced energy plan that prioritizes affordability, reliability, and economic growth for all Pennsylvanians,&rdquo; leaving out sustainability, a key focus of Shapiro&rsquo;s plan.<\/p>\n<p>The leader said his caucus was willing to work with the governor and Democrats on issues on which they agreed, but he emphasized that Shapiro has the power to bring the groups together.<\/p>\n<p>Areas of agreement remain elusive. Many issues &ldquo;on the table&rdquo; are ones Republicans are already signaling opposition to, like raising the minimum wage. Ultimately, Topper said that determining if something is fiscally sustainable comes before any real discussion of individual issues.<\/p>\n<p>Leaders acknowledged that the governor&rsquo;s address is just a starting point from which they&rsquo;ll work toward a budget in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But as it stands right now, I think every taxpayer in Pennsylvania should be very concerned about this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/covid-19-relief-bill-contains-10-billion-for-global-response\/\" title=\"COVID-19 Relief Bill Contains  Billion for Global Response\">spending proposal<\/a>,&rdquo; Struzzi said.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris of Philadelphia left his Republican colleagues with a challenge. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t afford that, then what is it you&rsquo;re willing to cut?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;Which of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians don&rsquo;t deserve this investment?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1976718\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1976718\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Legislature reacts mixedly to Shapiro&#8217;s budget proposal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2399124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Josh_Shapiro_PA_989.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[49855,4199,4115,5013],"class_list":["post-2399123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-budget-address","tag-legislature","tag-response","tag-shapiro"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Josh_Shapiro_PA_989.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2399123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2399123"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2399123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2399127,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2399123\/revisions\/2399127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2399124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2399123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2399123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2399123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}