As Pennsylvania prepares for the upcoming governor’s budget address, questions are being raised about the state’s financial planning and transparency. State Representative Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) has expressed concerns over the handling of state funds in the previous legislative session.
According to Rep. Mackenzie, Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025 budget proposal was based on expected revenues from two bills that ultimately did not pass: the legalization of recreational marijuana and the taxation of skill games. The failure of these measures led to frustration among lawmakers as they worked through a prolonged budget negotiation process.
Mackenzie described the debate as a “tug of war” between those who wanted to spend available funds immediately and others who advocated for fiscal restraint and saving for future needs. She noted that a compromise was eventually reached after months of negotiations.
During these discussions, Mackenzie said it became apparent that there were previously undisclosed funds available. “It seems the governor knew and could offer that a slush fund existed with money that could be brought to the table to fill in the gap! Millions of dollars had been lying dormant — yet, available all along!” she stated.
Mackenzie is now calling for greater clarity on how much money remains unaccounted for within state coffers and whether these funds can be used in future budgets. “We need to know how much money still remains slushing around the Capitol. Is it money that can be used when considering this year’s and future budgets?” she asked.
She urged both government officials and legislators to base spending decisions on actual available resources rather than projected or uncertain revenues. “Unless a ‘Money Tree’ starts to grow in Harrisburg, everyone from the governor on down needs to be dealing in ‘reality.’ How much money we actually have available affects how much money we can actually spend,” Mackenzie said.
She concluded by emphasizing the need for answers before this year’s budget process begins: “We need to have an answer. In order to avoid the trauma of the past, we must know NOW…. before the 2026 governor’s budget address.”
