Owlett Issues Statement on Passage of 2024-25 PA Budget

7/11/2024

HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) cast a “no” vote today on the state’s proposed $47.6 billion budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year and issued the following statement regarding his decision:

“In legislation as exhaustive as the state budget, there are going to be good things and bad things, but when I look at the ‘big picture’ with this plan, all I see is higher taxes and more debt weighing down our state’s economy, employers and workers in our future. 

“This budget would increase spending by 6% over the prior year’s budget, an amount that exceeds what we are projected to bring in over the next 12 months. That means dipping into surplus funds to pay for recurring costs, and when the surplus runs out in the next couple years, we will all be hit with higher taxes.

“The plan also takes on significant debt to fund the PA SITES program. The mission of the program is valuable, as it aims to help make sites and buildings ready for occupancy by new employers or those looking to expand in the Commonwealth. But it simply isn’t right to place the burden of that debt on our kids and future generations of Pennsylvanians.

“While I am deeply concerned about the impact of this budget, I will continue to advocate for policies that would set our Commonwealth up for success, such as investments in educational options for our students and tax and permitting policies that make Pennsylvania more competitive economically.”


Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives