Crawford Times

Rep. Brad Roae from Crawford/Erie has expressed concerns regarding Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. In his statement, Roae warned that the governor's plan could deplete the Commonwealth’s General Fund surplus and impact the Rainy Day Fund, potentially leading to significant tax increases in the future.

Roae emphasized, "The governor’s budget proposal, if enacted, would spend the rest of the Commonwealth’s General Fund surplus and make a dent in the Rainy Day Fund, which would result in a huge tax increase in future years. Once spending is increased on a particular line item, it is very difficult to decrease it."

He further criticized the focus of Shapiro's budget plan: "We should be focused on cutting and efficiencies, not spending willy-nilly." Roae accused the governor of playing a "shell game" by proposing an increase in sales tax allocation to mass transit systems that primarily benefit urban areas like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia at the expense of rural communities.

Additionally, Roae pointed out that Shapiro's proposal includes eliminating four specific tax credit programs aimed at fostering economic growth while introducing a new tax credit without detailed explanations on how it would promote employment-related economic development.

For more information on Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposal, interested parties are encouraged to seek further details.

Roae represents Pennsylvania's 6th Legislative District, which encompasses several townships and boroughs within Crawford County and Erie County.