Kosierowski praises bipartisan budget’s historic investments in education and healthcare in 2026-27 state budget
Northeast Delegation July 14, 2026 | 1:31 PM
HARRISBURG, July 14 – State Rep. Bridget Kosierwoski, D-Lackawanna, highlighted the 2026-27 state budget’s historic investments in education and support for Pennsylvania’s healthcare system.
“A high-quality education is the foundation for life-long success,” Kosierowski said. “This budget will ensure that all Pennsylvania’s students have access to educational opportunities that will help them adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive global workforce.”
The budget makes a $670 million investment statewide in education, which includes a $565 million increase to help rectify historic funding discrepancies and a $58 million increase in basic education and $47 increase in special education funding, to ensure every student can succeed.
Kosierowski said the school districts in the 114th Legislative District will benefit from significant funding increases:
- $1.3 million or 10.5% increase for Abington Heights School District
- $141,000 or 1.7% increase for Lackawanna Trail School District
- $388,000 or 4.7% increase for Lakeland School District
- $1 million or 9.3% increase for Mid Valley School District
- $11.1 million or 9.9% increase for Scranton School District
Kosierowski also praised the budget’s increased support for key healthcare programs:
- $615.2 million or 7% increase, for Medical Assistance managed care program
- $484.7 million or 16.1% increase, for Medical Assistance Capitation
- $130.5 million or 2.3% increase, for Medical Assistance Community HealthChoices
- $5.6 million or 6.1% increase, for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- $1.2 million or 4.4% increase, for mental health services
“This budget provides critically needed increases for Pennsylvania’s medical assistance and Children’s Health Insurance Program, along with increased mental health funding,” Kosierowski said. “As a nurse for nearly 30 years, I know how this funding will save lives and reduce stress on our healthcare system.”
Kosierowski highlighted that the budget requires data centers, with a peak capacity demand of more than 10 megawatts, for the first time to report energy and water use annually to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
“Our residents have a right to know how much electricity and water data centers consume so they can better understand how these facilities are impacting their utility bills and the environment,” Kosierowski said. “This budget will require data centers to be transparent and accountable.”
Kosierowski also pointed out several budget measures supporting working Pennsylvanians. First, the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit will return nearly $200 million to 950,000 families, helping to alleviate financial pressures.
As a working mother, Kosierowski said the 20% increase in funding for the Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program, bringing the total to $30 million, will help expand access to childcare, enabling more parents to remain in the workforce while supporting the recruitment and retention of childcare professionals.
“As the cost of living continues to rise, many families simply can't make ends meet on a single income,” Kosierowski said. “Also, stepping away from the workforce to care for children can have long-term effects on a parent's career and earning potential. This investment is a win-win for working families because it helps ensure children receive quality care while supporting the professionals who make that care possible.”
Kosierowski also praised the budget's nearly $24.2 million investment in rape crisis response, which almost doubles state funding for those essential services.
“This funding will help ensure sexual assault survivors can access timely, coordinated and comprehensive support that support healing and recovery,” Kosierowski said.
The budget also includes the following funding increases and new investments:
- A 9.1% increase for early intervention services for children with developmental delays.
- A 31% increase for Grow PA scholarships, which offer grants to in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation.
- Maintained funding levels for the program that provides cash grants to counties for the purchase and distribution of food to low-income individuals and for farmers’ market food coupons – both of which received large increases in the previous budget.
- $6 million for avian flu surveillance and response.
- A requirement for daily recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, recognizing the importance of physical activity, play and student well-being.
Kosierowski said the budget recognizes the contributions of Pennsylvania’s retired educators by providing their first cost-of-living adjustment in 25 years.
“I am especially proud that this budget for the first time in 25 years has provided a cost-of-living adjustment to nearly 60,000 educators who retired before 2002,” Kosierowski said. “These dedicated educators gave their all to preparing Pennsylvania’s children for success. This COLA will ensure they can live their retirement with dignity.
“This budget invests in a healthier, more equitable future for all Pennsylvanians.”