(WHTM) – On Tuesday, Governor Shapiro presented his budget proposal, a $48.3 billion spending plan Republicans are calling a unicorn and rainbow that is way too expensive. What does the governor say? abc27 spoke to him to get answers.
“Look, I know there are people on the other side who think it's their job to oppose everything I'm for. But the reality is, we're at the Capitol. We're doing things. We're uniting Democrats and Republicans. And now is the time we have to come together and invest,” Shapiro said.
Independent finance chiefs say if this path continues, the deficit could be up to $3 billion in just a few years. are they wrong?
Shapiro said: Look, I'm the only one in this building who has to submit his required five-year budget plan. It's not just about me. If we don't raise taxes, the governor is required to do so in my five-year budget plan. In fact, we have plans to reduce them. Be fiscally responsible and maintain a rainy day or surplus fund balance. ”
Ten years ago, Governor Tom Corbett proposed a $29 billion budget. How does Shapiro justify his huge budget?
“The need is great. Revenues are up. We're seeing good things happening in Pennsylvania. But if we don't invest now, we're going to fall behind.”
Shapiro has some pretty grand plans here. But some say what Mr. Shapiro is looking to spend now isn't something he'll spend all at once. Is Mr. Shapiro putting future governors and future Congresses at risk for that?
“But that's just not true,” Shapiro said. “I created this five-year plan. It's balanced. What people who say that are really saying is that they don't want to think big. They don't want to think big. We don't want to be aggressive and we don't want to compete. We want to compete and we want to win, and that requires investment.”
Lawmakers will have the opportunity to ask questions in the coming weeks when budget hearings begin.
