AFP-PA Calls Out Gov. Shapiro for Irresponsible State Budget

Feb 3, 2026 by AFP

HARRISBURG, PA – Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania (AFP-PA) criticized Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.2 billion state budget on Tuesday as an irresponsible spending spree that fails to remedy the state’s $5 billion deficit in response to his address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Nick Kerin, AFP-PA deputy state director, gave the following statement:

“Governor Shapiro’s budget is set up to fail because Pennsylvania’s budget process is broken. For the second time in three months, Shapiro is proposing a budget that increases spending first and finds the money to pay for it second.

“At a time when many Pennsylvanians are concerned with high living costs, the status quo of ever-increasing spending and ever-increasing taxes has to change. Shapiro’s insistence on throwing tax dollars at every problem facing Pennsylvanians, from housing availability to energy production, will only drive up inflation and the cost of living.

“AFP-PA calls on the General Assembly to protect its power of the purse and negotiate a budget that spends within Pennsylvania’s means.”