Budget invests in working families and business growth without raising taxes
Bizzarro details how Erie County fairs in new 2026-2027 budget
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro July 12, 2026 | 4:23 PM
HARRISBURG, July 12 – A state budget that makes significant investments in Erie County workers and their families – without raising taxes – passed the legislature today, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced.
“This budget puts our priorities front and center – easing the burden on your wallet while delivering better schools, better jobs, and safer communities,” Bizzarro said. “Year after year we’ve shown that we can grow our economy by making smart investments while also putting money back in the pockets of our seniors and working families.”
Budget highlights include:
Making life more affordable: The 2026/27 budget makes life more affordable by addressing rising energy costs, supporting reliable infrastructure, and protecting consumers. Efforts to cap energy price spikes and strengthen consumer protections will help families manage monthly utility bills. Many public sector retirees, including some teachers, cops and firefighters, will see their retirement checks increase, helping cover everyday costs.
Supporting working families: The budget continues to help hard-working families keep more of their paychecks through the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit. This year alone, the credit cut the taxes of almost a million families, for a total of $200 million. The budget makes childcare more accessible and strengthens the workforce that keeps Pennsylvania's economy moving by maintaining $422 million for affordable childcare while increasing funding for childcare worker recruitment and retention by 20%. These types of investments help parents stay in the workforce and gives their kids safe, high-quality care and early learning opportunities.
Education and workforce development: Public schools are seeing another historic funding increase, including more than $2 million in total for Fairview and Millcreek School Districts. An additional $10 million for Career and Technical Education will help more students get the skills they need to work in-demand careers here at home. Students pursuing higher education will also benefit through increased state grants, expanded scholarships, fully funded student teacher stipends, and additional support for Pennsylvania's universities.
Growing Pennsylvania's economy: The budget includes major investments that help small businesses expand, revitalize downtowns, and create jobs. Redevelopment investments include and additional $20 million for the Main Street Matters program and more support for industrial site redevelopment.
Healthier, safer communities: The budget strengthens Pennsylvania's health care system by investing in mental health services. Services for individuals with intellectual disabilities have been boosted, including 1,250 additional community waiver opportunities. The budget also invests in safer communities through increased funding for law enforcement, school safety and violence prevention programs, fire and emergency services and other public safety initiatives.
"By investing in working families, small businesses, education, healthcare, and community development, we're creating more opportunity and a stronger future for the Erie region,” Bizzarro said. "Workers and families deserve a budget that helps them succeed - not just today, but for years to come."