State Representative Joe Emrick of Upper Nazareth Township voted in favor of Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 state budget, highlighting measures aimed at improving affordability for residents. In a statement issued after the vote, Emrick emphasized that the new budget does not raise taxes or use funds from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, while maintaining support for core government functions.
“The passage of this long-delayed state budget represents responsible governing and stewardship of people’s hard-earned tax dollars. This budget doesn’t raise taxes, nor does it use any of the state’s Rainy Day Fund while prioritizing core government functions that put Pennsylvanians first,” said Emrick.
Emrick underscored the importance of focusing on affordability for everyday expenses such as utilities, groceries, and fuel: “It is vital that we as elected officials focus on the affordability of everything from utility costs to grocery bills and prices at the gas pump.”
The budget agreement includes a repeal of regulations from the Wolf Administration that required Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). According to Emrick, “As part of the budget agreement, we are repealing, through statute, Wolf Administration regulations that forced Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This action not only restores legislative oversight, but even more important, it protects and facilitates creating family-sustaining energy jobs, avoids what would have been a 30% increase in energy bills by 2030 and revitalizes our Commonwealth’s energy industry that will help increase the supply of energy and ensure a reliable energy grid. Each of these changes will be crucial in helping to control energy costs moving forward.”
On health care policy changes included in this year’s spending plan, Emrick noted efforts to reduce costs: “This budget also makes significant strides in our effort to decrease health care costs while helping those most in need. We’re reinforcing benefit integrity to ensure those who receive public assistance are the ones who truly need it.” He added that eliminating inefficiencies helps lower overall health care expenses: “Eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in our public health care programs helps make health care more affordable for everyone.”
Additional provisions include increased funding to address food insecurity and a new tax credit program aimed at low- and moderate-income working families. As stated by Emrick: “The budget also significantly increases funding in the fight against food insecurity because no one should go hungry. Finally, we’re returning taxpayer money directly to low- and moderate-income working families through a new tax credit program that helps workers keep more of their hard-earned money.“
Education remains a priority with continued record-level support for school districts across Pennsylvania. The latest budget increases PreK-12 education funding by $866.5 million with allocations for initiatives such as Ready to Learn Block Grants, basic education programs, special education services, Pre-K Counts programs, transportation needs, school safety improvements and mental health services within schools.
“These measures are incredibly beneficial for the people of the 137th Legislative District and move Pennsylvania toward a stronger, more sustainable and affordable future,” concluded Emrick.
