Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Schlossberg: New state spending plan supports everyday Pennsylvanians

Schlossberg: New state spending plan supports everyday Pennsylvanians

Rep. Mike Schlossberg    July 12, 2026

HARRISBURG, July 12 – State. Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, released the following statement Sunday after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives finalized the state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year:

“I am pleased that the House of Representatives has approved a budget for 2026-2027. Once again, this budget continues the work of the Democratic House majority to deliver fair and adequate funding for public schools. I am proud to see that state funding for Parkland and Allentown schools will increase by $316,000 (1.5%) and $22,799,000 (8.2%) respectively. Over the last four years of our majority, these historic investments in education have increased state funding to our community’s schools by over $4,681,000 (28.2%) and 98,122,000 (48.8%). Our schools will also benefit greatly from grants aimed at increasing student security and providing resources for mental and behavioral health.

“From a mental health perspective, this budget brings a crucial new investment of $41.2 million to support services, including $10 million to fund the 988 crisis call line. The state 988 funding is the first state funding to support this crucial and lifesaving innovation. The budget funding also directly supports community crisis walk-in centers, another first for a state budget.”

Schlossberg further emphasized that 2026-27 budget includes the first cost-of-living adjustment in 20 years for State and Public School employees’ retirement system recipients, as well as eligible municipal firefighters and police officers.

“This is a massive boost to public servants who retired before pension increases, ensuring public servants can afford to continue to retire with dignity.”

Notably, the state spending plan will increase funding for the Medical Assistance and CHIP programs while the federal spending on healthcare assistance has been cut, Schlossberg said.

“In a time when the federal government has pulled back from supporting the most vulnerable in our community, I am proud that the House majority leadership is standing with our teachers, our students, our firefighters, our police, our disabled, our small businesses and our veterans. We are supporting our community – I hope that our counterparts in Washington will wake up to the crisis we face in healthcare and someday join us in tackling affordability for everyday Pennsylvanians head on.”