Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 14:48
Reichard Stands Firm on Budget
Nov. 12, 2025
HARRISBURG - Rep. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) issued the following statement following a vote on the 2025-26 budget:
"While I truly appreciate efforts made by House and Senate Republicans to lower spending by $1.5 billion compared to what Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed, this budget grows spending too much. Standing at $50.1 billion, this budget increases spending by $2.5 billion over last year. This rate of spending is not only unsustainable, but also unacceptable. A structural deficit remains and taxpayers will have to cover the cost eventually.
"There are parts of the budget I do agree with. The General Assembly withdrawing Pennsylvania from RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) will have a positive impact on all energy consumers by averting an expected 30% increase on utility bills and will unleash the state's energy potential. The budget also tackles the issue of overreaching permits and regulations that impede business growth. These two measures will improve economic opportunities and increase our economic competitiveness.
"A major sticking point for me was the funding for Penn State. After closing countless campuses, including Mont Alto here in Franklin County, I believe the school's taxpayer-funded line item should have been decreased to reflect the supposed cost-savings university officials said they would see. Despite the closings, the school will dump $700 million into Beaver Stadium all while its president received a generous pay increase to $1.4 million and now former head football coach James Franklin was paid $49 million in his buyout.
"This type of spending is not what Penn State was founded to do. The school is treating taxpayer wallets as a slush fund for anything but assisting students in rural areas. In fact, when Penn State assumed control of the State Forestry Academy, which became Penn State Mont Alto, in 1937, a newspaper stated fears that Penn State would close the campus. It only took 90 years for the premonition to come true."
"While I truly appreciate efforts made by House and Senate Republicans to lower spending by $1.5 billion compared to what Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed, this budget grows spending too much. Standing at $50.1 billion, this budget increases spending by $2.5 billion over last year. This rate of spending is not only unsustainable, but also unacceptable. A structural deficit remains and taxpayers will have to cover the cost eventually.
"There are parts of the budget I do agree with. The General Assembly withdrawing Pennsylvania from RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) will have a positive impact on all energy consumers by averting an expected 30% increase on utility bills and will unleash the state's energy potential. The budget also tackles the issue of overreaching permits and regulations that impede business growth. These two measures will improve economic opportunities and increase our economic competitiveness.
"A major sticking point for me was the funding for Penn State. After closing countless campuses, including Mont Alto here in Franklin County, I believe the school's taxpayer-funded line item should have been decreased to reflect the supposed cost-savings university officials said they would see. Despite the closings, the school will dump $700 million into Beaver Stadium all while its president received a generous pay increase to $1.4 million and now former head football coach James Franklin was paid $49 million in his buyout.
"This type of spending is not what Penn State was founded to do. The school is treating taxpayer wallets as a slush fund for anything but assisting students in rural areas. In fact, when Penn State assumed control of the State Forestry Academy, which became Penn State Mont Alto, in 1937, a newspaper stated fears that Penn State would close the campus. It only took 90 years for the premonition to come true."
A video clip of Rep. Chad Reichard's comments on funding for Penn State is available for viewing and distribution here. Representative Chad Reichard 90th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Greg Gross 717.260.6374 [email protected] RepReichard.com / Facebook.com/RepReichard
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