Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 14:08
Pugh: This is What Compromise Looks Like: Jobs, Investment and Growth for Pennsylvania
Nov. 12, 2025
HARRISBURG - Rep. Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) today issued the following statement on her affirmative vote on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 state budget:
"Pennsylvania has moved one step closer to a completed budget, and with it a renewed sense of purpose in Harrisburg. Both the House and Senate advanced five budget-related bills this week, marking a major step toward stability, growth and bipartisan progress. The result is a budget that strengthens job creation, business investment and vital public agencies while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability to taxpayers.
"This is what compromise looks like. It's a budget that supports growth, creates opportunity and funds the critical services our communities depend on, all without sacrificing responsibility or principle."
Pugh indicates the following as victories in this year's budget:
• Fiscal Discipline. Republicans reduced Gov. Josh Shapiro's original spending proposal by $1.4 billion, holding the line on government expansion while focusing spending on essential programs.
• Protecting Reserves. Key initiatives were funded while preserving Pennsylvania's Rainy Day Fund for future emergencies.
• Energy Independence Restored. The budget formally withdraws the state from the costly Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and removes uncertainty for the energy sector, promoting job creation and stabilizing "Costs for our Consumers."
• Regulatory Reform. Pro-business measures expand fast-track permitting and create two "deemed-approved" permit categories to cut bureaucracy and encourage investment in Pennsylvania.
• Fighting Fraud and Abuse. Stronger safeguards will reduce SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medical Assistance error rates, ensuring public assistance reaches those who truly need it.
• Investing in Public Safety. The Fiscal Code includes a critical provision to fund Pennsylvania's 911 systems, ensuring counties have the resources to provide dependable, lifesaving emergency communications.
• Transit Solutions without New Taxes. Funding for mass transit in Philadelphia (SEPTA) and Pittsburgh (PRT) will now be funded through separate funds and not new taxpayer obligations.
• Returning Money to Working Pennsylvanians. The budget establishes the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit Program, providing working Pennsylvanians with a credit equal to 10% of their federal earned income tax credit (EITC). This puts money directly back into the hands of families who need it most, strengthening local economies and rewarding hard work.
• Education Investment with Accountability. The budget invests in students, teachers and workforce readiness while ensuring every dollar is spent responsibly. The plan expands career and technical education and includes strong transparency measures to track results and outcomes. It still needs work to ensure all school districts are treated fairly, as we should not be choosing winners and losers through funding. Every child deserves to be supported and protected, which is why all schools including cyber schools will be responsible for checking on the well-being and safety of their students.
"This budget is about progress, not politics," added Pugh. "Republicans fought for fiscal restraint, energy independence and accountability. We secured funding for the state's 911 system, delivered relief for working families, and achieved key reforms that make Pennsylvania more competitive and efficient. Supporting education was part of that because preparing our kids for the workforce and protecting taxpayers go hand-in-hand.
"This budget invests in jobs, protects taxpayers and strengthens vital services. It shows that compromise isn't a sign of weakness; it's a commitment to results. Jobs are being created, investments are growing, our students are being protected, and our emergency and public safety systems are being funded responsibly. That's how Pennsylvania wins."
Pugh would also like to thank Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bradford/Fulton) for his commonsense approach and willingness to fight for all Pennsylvanians throughout the negotiation process.
Representative Brenda Pugh
120th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
717.260.6522
[email protected]
RepPugh.com / Facebook.com/RepBrendaPugh
"Pennsylvania has moved one step closer to a completed budget, and with it a renewed sense of purpose in Harrisburg. Both the House and Senate advanced five budget-related bills this week, marking a major step toward stability, growth and bipartisan progress. The result is a budget that strengthens job creation, business investment and vital public agencies while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability to taxpayers.
"This is what compromise looks like. It's a budget that supports growth, creates opportunity and funds the critical services our communities depend on, all without sacrificing responsibility or principle."
Pugh indicates the following as victories in this year's budget:
• Fiscal Discipline. Republicans reduced Gov. Josh Shapiro's original spending proposal by $1.4 billion, holding the line on government expansion while focusing spending on essential programs.
• Protecting Reserves. Key initiatives were funded while preserving Pennsylvania's Rainy Day Fund for future emergencies.
• Energy Independence Restored. The budget formally withdraws the state from the costly Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and removes uncertainty for the energy sector, promoting job creation and stabilizing "Costs for our Consumers."
• Regulatory Reform. Pro-business measures expand fast-track permitting and create two "deemed-approved" permit categories to cut bureaucracy and encourage investment in Pennsylvania.
• Fighting Fraud and Abuse. Stronger safeguards will reduce SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medical Assistance error rates, ensuring public assistance reaches those who truly need it.
• Investing in Public Safety. The Fiscal Code includes a critical provision to fund Pennsylvania's 911 systems, ensuring counties have the resources to provide dependable, lifesaving emergency communications.
• Transit Solutions without New Taxes. Funding for mass transit in Philadelphia (SEPTA) and Pittsburgh (PRT) will now be funded through separate funds and not new taxpayer obligations.
• Returning Money to Working Pennsylvanians. The budget establishes the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit Program, providing working Pennsylvanians with a credit equal to 10% of their federal earned income tax credit (EITC). This puts money directly back into the hands of families who need it most, strengthening local economies and rewarding hard work.
• Education Investment with Accountability. The budget invests in students, teachers and workforce readiness while ensuring every dollar is spent responsibly. The plan expands career and technical education and includes strong transparency measures to track results and outcomes. It still needs work to ensure all school districts are treated fairly, as we should not be choosing winners and losers through funding. Every child deserves to be supported and protected, which is why all schools including cyber schools will be responsible for checking on the well-being and safety of their students.
"This budget is about progress, not politics," added Pugh. "Republicans fought for fiscal restraint, energy independence and accountability. We secured funding for the state's 911 system, delivered relief for working families, and achieved key reforms that make Pennsylvania more competitive and efficient. Supporting education was part of that because preparing our kids for the workforce and protecting taxpayers go hand-in-hand.
"This budget invests in jobs, protects taxpayers and strengthens vital services. It shows that compromise isn't a sign of weakness; it's a commitment to results. Jobs are being created, investments are growing, our students are being protected, and our emergency and public safety systems are being funded responsibly. That's how Pennsylvania wins."
Pugh would also like to thank Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bradford/Fulton) for his commonsense approach and willingness to fight for all Pennsylvanians throughout the negotiation process.
Representative Brenda Pugh
120th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
717.260.6522
[email protected]
RepPugh.com / Facebook.com/RepBrendaPugh
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