While this budget includes several significant investments, it also leaves unaddressed major challenges – challenges that families in Delaware County face every day, including rising energy costs, higher household expenses and growing burdens on health care and family budgets, as well as unsustainable transportation funding that threatens the future of indispensable services.
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – July 13, 2026 − Today, after lawmakers approved the 2026-2027 state budget following a occasional weekend special session, Senator Tim Kearney (PA-26) issued the following statement highlighting both the significant investments and significant challenges facing the Legislature.
“Families and working people across the Commonwealth have made clear what they expect from their government: put working families first. They want a Legislature that listens to people struggling with rising costs – not corporations, billionaires and wealthy interests. It is our responsibility to present a budget that reflects these priorities.”
“This year Budget $50.8 trillionwhich represents a 3.7% boost over last year, reflects these priorities and delivers hard-fought victories for children, seniors and working families. And yet many core priorities are underfunded or unfunded – not where we want to be.
Budget wins
“Statewide, the budget provides approx A $678 million increase for K-12 educationincluding $565 million in capital adequacy and financing for long-underfunded public schools – easing pressure on property taxpayers and strengthening communities. Almost $9 million will go to Upper Darby AND $5.6 million for William Penntwo districts that have had deep funding gaps for years. The budget is also on track $100 million for a grant program to improve public school infrastructure AND $25 million for solar energy for schoolsproviding districts with greater flexibility to retrofit aging buildings and reduce long-term energy costs.”
“We also secured it $419 million for the PHEAA state grant program reduce study costs, $30 million in child care worker retention bonusesmore than $200 million in Pennsylvania Workers’ Tax Credit, and $23.7 million to support historically disadvantaged businesses“
“Additional noteworthy investments include: $62 million for violence–intervention programs, doubled funding for crisis centers for rape victims, $7 million to modernize EBT cardsAND $775 million to repair the condition–owner of roads and bridges. More than 80,000 retired teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public sector workers will finally receive a long-awaited cost of living adjustment. AND $125 million for Innovate with PA 2.0which will increase the number of jobs in life sciences and biotechnology, strengthening a sector that employs thousands of workers across our region and increasing high skills opportunities, while attracting new business and supporting research.”
Budget shortcomings
“Of course we didn’t get everything we wanted – quite the opposite. Early childhood education received only half of the amount requested by the governor. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25 an hour for twenty years. The budget deal also ignored energy affordability, data center liability and inflated utility prices. “Once again, we have seen no progress in transit funding, leaving SEPTA and transit agencies across Pennsylvania heading toward another fiscal cliff.”
“Under pressure from Senate Republicans, the budget is balanced with one-time revenues, fund transfers and payment changes. Senate Democrats would prefer permanent revenues by raising the minimum wage, closing the Delaware Loophole (a profit shifting loophole used by multi-state corporations to avoid PA taxes), regulating and taxing non-casino gaming, and legalizing marijuana for adults – proposals included in Governor Shapiro’s February budget. Senate Republicans refused.”
Taxing Billionaires and Busboys the Same: Why Pennsylvania Budgets Keep Falling
“Many of this year’s budget shortfalls have one cause: an obsolete rule that limits our ability to fund schools, transportation, health care and public safety. This rule is known as Uniformity clause – the section of our state constitution that requires every taxpayer to be taxed at the exact same rate – regardless of income, assets or ability to pay. As a result, Pennsylvania cannot adopt a graduated income tax, create targeted property tax relief for seniors or homeowners, or adopt current tax policies used successfully in other states.”
“The result is a system that burdens those who have the least the most while limiting our ability to generate sustainable income. Truly, Pennsylvania doesn’t have a spending problem; we have a problem with regressive revenuesand eliminating this rule will enable us to adopt a current, equitable budget capable of funding the services that Pennsylvania communities rely on.”
“I will be introducing the company in the coming weeks–sponsorship note regarding the repeal of the uniformity clause — a necessary step towards tax fairness and relief for working families.“
Health Care Systems Protection Act and Abby’s Act
“During budget negotiations, we expected progress on two important bipartisan bills Act on the protection of health care systemsthat protects patients against attacks on the private equity market destroyed the Crozer health care systemAND Abby‘s LawWhich establishes statewide safety rules regarding, for example,–scooters following a tragic accident that killed 12-year-old Abigail Gillon and seriously injured her friend. Both bills received bipartisan comments, enjoy broad public support, and have life-saving consequences. And yet, in the end, both bills were not considered because they became victims of partisan politicking.”
“I am disappointed, but I will continue to fight for these life-saving bills when the budget smoke clears, and I promise I will finish what we started.”
There’s work ahead of us
“Taken together, this budget demonstrates both the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead, as well as the importance of having both a Senate and House that share a sound approach to governance. In the months ahead, we will continue to fight to advance bipartisan legislation and strengthen the public services that Pennsylvanians rely on.”
“The work is not done, but I am excited about the possibilities the future may hold and I remain committed to helping deliver the stable, well-funded future that the Commonwealth’s hard-working citizens deserve.”
