HARRISBURG — Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal:
“Gov. Shapiro just rolled out a $53.3 billion budget. Let’s call it what it is: a reckless spending plan built on fantasy math, fake priorities and a total disregard for the hardworking people of Pennsylvania.
“This isn’t a budget — it’s a blueprint for bigger government, higher taxes and long-term financial pain for families already stretched thin. Shapiro wants more power, more programs and more of your money — and he expects zero pushback. He’s wrong.
“Right now, Pennsylvanians are getting hammered at every angle. Grocery prices are still sky-high. Rent and housing costs are breaking records. Gas isn’t cheap, and energy bills are crushing working families — especially electric bills, which have soared under Shapiro’s failure to lead. Instead of relief, Shapiro’s budget piles on $2.7 billion in new spending — while raiding $4.6 billion from our Rainy Day Fund like it’s his personal piggy bank. This is not leadership. It’s looting the future to cover his failures of the present.
“This budget increases state spending by 5.4%. That’s not a ‘tweak’ — that’s an explosion. Human Services gets a $1.4 billion bump. Corrections? Up by $142 million — even with prison closures.
“So, where’s the belt-tightening? There is none. Just more bureaucracy, more waste and more promises with no plan to pay for them. Pennsylvania doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending addiction — and Shapiro’s the one feeding it. For the past three years, Senate Republicans have been the only force stopping reckless tax hikes and bloated budgets.
“To advance his selfish ambition to be president, Shapiro is spending $100 million to wage political war with the federal government — using taxpayer money to get his name in the news. Instead of fixing our roads, lowering your bills or investing in local needs, he’s picking fights to boost his national image.
“Let’s be blunt: Gov. Shapiro has a transparency problem — and not just with the budget.
“His office quietly paid out $295,000 to settle a sexual harassment complaint involving a top aide — and kept that person on the job for months. No real accountability. No public answers. Just cover-up politics.
“Even worse, Shapiro still refuses to do the right thing in the Ellen Greenberg case — a beautiful young woman found dead with 20 stab wounds, that he agreed was a suicide. As attorney general, he fought to block further investigation into her death. As governor, he’s still silent. Her parents have begged for answers. He’s turned his back on them. That’s not leadership. That’s cowardice. If you can’t tell the truth about a woman’s brutal death — or your own staff’s misconduct — how can anyone trust your budget?
“This budget is a disaster. It’s bloated, dishonest and dangerous to our long-term future. We need leadership that respects your paycheck, lowers your electric bill, restores accountability and tells the truth.
“Senate Republicans will stand firm — because Pennsylvania doesn’t need more government. It needs a government that works.”
CONTACT: Don Beishl