Frankel Applauds Governor Shapiro’s Budget for Investing in Workers, Public Health and Pennsylvania’s Future
Rep. Dan B. Frankel February 3, 2026 | 2:19 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, today praised Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, calling it a comprehensive, values-driven plan that strengthens Pennsylvania’s economy, improves public health and invests in Pennsylvanians.
Shapiro renewed calls for several popular, common-sense reforms that would provide much needed increases in revenue, including raising the minimum wage to $15/hour and finally legalizing cannabis so that it can be properly regulated and taxed.
“Gov. Shapiro is listening to the people of Pennsylvania, who have watched state after state move toward a living wage for workers and end the failed policy of cannabis prohibition,” said Frankel, whose legalization legislation with state Rep. Rick Krajewski passed last year. “Hopefully, my colleagues on the Senate side were listening.”
Frankel noted that proposed investments in education, transit and housing are critical supports for working families across the commonwealth.
“That means more young people graduating high school ready for careers or college, families with stable addresses, and workers who can reliably get to their jobs,” Frankel said. “The success of these Pennsylvanians benefits everyone and pays us back many times over.”
Frankel was also pleased to hear Shapiro’s strong support for a ban on cell phones in schools – an issue that was explored in the fall in a joint hearing by the House Health and Education committees.
“From both a mental health and learning perspective, students who can access their cell phones in the classroom are at a disadvantage,” Frankel said. “Nineteen other states have already responded to the research and taken action – Pennsylvania should be next.”
As House Health Committee Chair, Frankel said he was encouraged by the budget’s focus on expanding access to care, lowering costs and improving health outcomes statewide.
“Our governor understands that a healthy commonwealth is a productive commonwealth,” Frankel said.
As federal cuts have made it harder for families to get food assistance, the budget advances a Food Is Medicine approach and invests in rural health care to bolster the workforce and improve access in underserved communities. The budget significantly increases funding for mental and behavioral health, expanding crisis response, community-based services, and transitions to local care. It also pushes consumer protections to lower health care costs, particularly for prescription drugs and behavioral health access. The governor’s proposal also supports maternal health, with expanded postpartum depression screening, stronger maternal health programs, and enhanced child death review efforts.
The budget includes $68.4 million for Violence Intervention and Prevention programs — a $6.2 million increase — supporting evidence-based strategies that reduce gun violence and save lives.
###