By Vanessa Raymond-Garcia, RHLS Policy Analyst
On March 7, 2023, Governor Shapiro gave his first statewide budget speech to Pennsylvania’s state representatives and the public outlining his priorities for the next year.
The purpose of a Governor’s mid-fiscal/early calendar year budget proposal is to highlight their thoughts on how state funding should be spent. The budget process does not begin here, however. State agencies are asked to submit their budget requests months in advance. After the Governor unveils their budget proposal, hearings are held by both arms of the state legislature (the House and the Senate) to discuss priorities for the next year’s final budget. A bill is introduced in the spring with an initial draft of the budget. Throughout May and June, House and Senate leadership, along with the Governor, negotiate what will go into the final budget. When they have reached a final agreement each arm of the state legislature will vote on the final version. Once passed by both chambers, it then heads to the Governor’s desk. The months during the budget hearings and when negotiations are underway are an important time for residents and advocates to make their voices heard. To learn more about the state budget process, please click here or here for more information from the PA Association of Conservation Districts and the PA Keystone Research Budget and Policy Center.
Governor Shapiro unveiled his first budget proposal that includes $44 billion dollars in spending. The budget proposal is for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2023. The Governor and state legislators would need to agree on a budget by June 30, 2023, to avoid a government shutdown. The proposed budget highlights include investments in education, legal representation, public safety, workforce development, mental health support, and more.
During his governorship campaign in late 2022, then-Attorney General Shapiro pledged to pursue reform of criminal justice policies, fund access to legal representation, increase and expand resources for rural communities, and increase the minimum wage. These promises – if made reality – would not only help Pennsylvanians with these specific issues, but would also help residents access, afford, and stay in their homes.
Under Attorney General Shapiro’s leadership from 2016-2023, the Office of the Attorney General published a guide to tenant-landlord rights and resources; and protected renters’ rights during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to help lower evictions; shielded homeowners from unfair practices by large corporations looking to purchase Pennsylvania homes under false pretenses; went after bad actors; and more for assuring safe and accessible homes are available to all Pennsylvanians. Governor Shapiro’s tenure as Attorney General can tell us he values tenant and homeowner rights.
While the Governor’s proposed budget did not include any new funding for housing, it did include a reform for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program and an increase for the Keystone Communities program. We can be hopeful that the final budget will have some more housing provisions included based on his track record as Attorney General. While the new Whole Home Repairs Program was highlighted during the Governor’s speech, any new money for the program would need to be added to the budget, as would an increase in funding for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). The next few months of hearings will be critical for advocates and state residents as this is a critical time to call state elected officials on what is important to their communities that should be reflected in the budget.
Are you passionate about the future of housing in Pennsylvania? Get involved in the state budget process and make a difference in your community! Affordable housing is a pressing issue that affects everyone across the state. By participating in the budget process, you can advocate for increased funding and resources dedicated to affordable housing initiatives. Attend public hearings, reach out to your legislators, and join local organizations working towards affordable housing solutions to help influence how taxpayer dollars are spent. Your input matters in funding priorities, allocating resources, and shaping policies that address housing affordability, homelessness, and housing stability. Join the conversation, share your ideas, and play an active role in shaping the state’s budget to ensure that everyone in Pennsylvania has access to safe, affordable homes.