Senator Jarrett Coleman of Pennsylvania’s 16th District has responded to Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.3 billion state budget, criticizing the plan for its reliance on new spending and use of reserve funds. The proposal calls for a 5.4% increase in spending, totaling $2.7 billion in additional expenditures, and draws from the Rainy Day Fund while depending on nearly $2 billion in revenues from new initiatives.
Coleman stated, “This is not a serious plan to govern. It is a campaign speech dressed up as a budget. Once the Rainy Day Fund is gone next year, taxpayers will be left with two bad options: higher taxes or painful cuts to essential services.”
He further commented, “Draining our savings to pay for everyday expenses is not responsible. It is reckless. No family would call it responsible to spend more than they earn and wipe out their emergency fund just to make ends meet.”
“Pennsylvanians deserve a government that budgets like they do: living within its means, planning for the future and protecting what matters most. I will fight for a responsible plan that safeguards our financial stability instead of gambling it away,” Coleman added.
Senator Coleman represents parts of Bucks and Lehigh counties in the 16th District and leads the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee while serving as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee. He maintains offices in Harrisburg, Allentown, and Quakertown to assist constituents with state agency support and legislative information, according to his official website. Coleman holds degrees in aeronautics and business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and works as an airline pilot.
For more details about Senator Coleman’s positions or constituent services, visit his official website.
