Senator Greg Rothman (R-34) voted in favor of the latest Pennsylvania state budget, which aims to cut taxes, reform permitting processes, and provide additional support for students. The vote took place as the state faces demographic challenges and seeks to attract more businesses, jobs, and families.
“Pennsylvania is facing a demographic crisis. We must change the trajectory of our commonwealth by attracting businesses, jobs and families to Pennsylvania,” Rothman said. “The policy wins enacted as part of this state budget—tax cuts, permitting reform, lower energy costs and improved education funding— will bring people back to Pennsylvania.”
The budget includes measures to reduce taxes while controlling spending. According to Senator Rothman, these steps are intended to prevent future broad-based tax increases. The plan also introduces reforms in human service programs to ensure that benefits go only to eligible recipients.
“Today, I voted to prevent tax increases on working families and ensure their hard-earned dollars are protected,” Rothman said. “I firmly believe that government needs to live within its means and respect taxpayers, remembering that every dollar it spends comes from their pockets.”
A significant aspect of the new budget is the overhaul of the state’s permitting process. The changes require state agencies to follow set timelines for permit approvals and make real-time tracking publicly available. Permits will be automatically approved if not addressed within prescribed timeframes.
“Permit paralysis is holding back the creation of new jobs,” Rothman said. “More jobs and greater opportunities will be created for all Pennsylvanians when permits are received in a timely and predictable manner.”
The budget continues efforts to reduce the Corporate Net Income Tax rate and maintains the elimination of penalties related to Net Operating Losses for startups. These moves are designed to encourage business expansion across Pennsylvania.
“Staying the course on tax reduction sends a message to hardworking Pennsylvanians and job-creators everywhere that Pennsylvania is ripe for opportunity,” Rothman said.
Another provision repeals Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), ending what has been described as a $1.2 billion electricity tax proposal from Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration. Lawmakers say this repeal will help keep energy costs down for consumers.
“Today, we finally brought an end to this tax on American energy, reducing costs for every Pennsylvania consumer,” Rothman emphasized.
For education funding, adjustments have been made so that all schools in Senate District 34 receive equitable treatment under the revised formula—a point Senator Rothman has worked on since serving with the Basic Education Funding Commission.
“As a member of the Basic Education Funding Commission, I was dissatisfied with the funding formula because it unfairly penalized taxpayers and students in rapidly growing districts, including Cumberland Valley,” Rothman said. “I’ve been working since the Commission wrapped up its work in 2024 to correct this shortcoming.”
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman commented on these efforts: “Senator Rothman’s advocacy in addressing the needs of growing school districts played an instrumental role in ensuring a funding formula change was included as part of this year’s state budget,” he stated. “His perspective and leadership on the issue means schools will receive their fair share of education funding from state tax dollars.”
Additionally, an extra $50 million has been allocated through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program aimed at expanding school choice options throughout the state.
