Statement on Governor Shapiro’s Budget Address
Following the Governor’s Budget Address on February 6, 2024, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania commends the Governor for his proposed budget as it relates to the League’s social policy priorities of education, healthcare, and gun violence.
LWVPA believes in ensuring a quality public education system for every child in Pennsylvania, which rests on the equitable distribution of increased state funding for K-12 education. Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget includes:
1.1 billion dollars for schools, ensuring no school receives less funding than last year
50 million dollar increase in special education funding
30 million for Pre-K programs to help recruit and retain teachers
LWVPA believes in protecting the right to make private healthcare decisions without interference from the government. In particular, LWVPA supports the constitutional right of privacy of individuals to make reproductive choices. Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget includes:
“[I]ncreas[ing] support for health care providers that provide high-quality family planning tools and reproductive health care services…Because women and girls deserve to make their own choices about their own bodies.
50 million dollars to help Pennsylvanians who don’t qualify for government assistance for health insurance, but can’t afford the cost of private health insurance premiums
Feminine hygiene products available at no cost in schools
LWVPA believes in enacting reasonable gun control laws, including limiting accessibility and regulating ownership of weapons by private citizens, in order to reduce the incidence of gun violence, including gun accidents and gun-assisted suicide. Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget includes:
Support for closing background check loopholes
Funding a statewide Office of Gun Violence
100 million dollars to address gun violence
The League will continue to monitor upcoming budget proposals and hearings, and urges lawmakers to prioritize high-quality social policy decisions across the Commonwealth. And save the date for Lobby Day on May 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for more information to come!