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By Laura Burke
Back in February, Gov. Josh Shapiro gave his annual budget address.
His proposal includes bold ideas for a brighter future for Pennsylvania's families and economy.
Yet, from our Republican state legislators, I heard initial criticism and then crickets.
I have to wonder why our Republican leaders aren't embracing this budget.
After all, many of its initiatives directly address the concerns I hear most frequently from Blair County residents.
The number one question is: "How do we keep our kids from moving away?"
The answers are vibrant downtown communities, outdoor recreation, and jobs.
Shapiro's budget responds to these needs with $25 million for Main Street Matters, $8.5 million for trail development, and $500 million in PA SITES funding.
Main Street Matters will revitalize small town main streets and support small businesses.
The money for trails will add new trails and improve existing ones. PA SITES funding will ensure we have ready-to-go sites for industrial development so we can compete with neighboring states.
You would think that Republican lawmakers could get behind this proposal.
After all, how frequently do you hear them laud the virtues of small businesses?
Instead, we hear nothing.
The next big concern our residents have is deteriorating housing stock and homelessness.
To address housing, Shapiro proposes $50 million in Whole Home Repairs, $100 million over four years for Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE), and $10 million for the Homeless Assistance Program.
All of these programs have helped Blair County keep people housed or return people to housing in the past, but they are underfunded.
In 2023, we closed our Whole Home Repair program early after receiving 92 applications.
With full funding for PHARE we could create or rehabilitate approximately 25 additional units every year in our county.
An increase in Homeless Assistance money could help us provide shelter for more people.
What do Republicans think of this plan?
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward called it "a budget of unicorns and rainbows without any real explanation of how we are going to implement it."
First of all, don't threaten me with a good time.
Second of all, these programs and many others in the budget proposal already exist and are already helping people and businesses.
With more funding they will help more people and more businesses.
Finally, Blair County residents want good schools, but they don't want to pay higher property taxes.
Shapiro has proposed $1.1 billion in new state funding for K-12 schools.
This includes increases for special education and safety and security improvements.
The governor is also proposing a $5 million increase in incentives designed to address our teacher shortage.
Maybe with appropriate funding from the state our local school districts won't have to keep raising your property taxes.
Still, Republican leaders are skeptical. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said, "I think it's safe to say that much of what (Shapiro) put forward doesn't comport with the vision that we have for this commonwealth."
My guess is this statement was meant to specifically reference the portion of the governor's budget that legalizes adult-use cannabis, but I can't help but wonder: Why haven't Republicans come to the table over the other stuff?
The bipartisan issues that will improve the lives of Pennsylvanians? Don't they want better schools, better housing, and to be part of a historic investment in economic development?
Why are Senate Republicans standing in the way of help for our communities and businesses? Maybe we should start calling their offices to ask them.
Laura Burke (D) is a Blair County commissioner.