Last week, Governor Shapiro unveiled his budget proposal for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This annual budget address is the first step of the budgeting process which culminates with the passage of the annual budget by the General Assembly (hopefully) by the end of June. Appropriations hearings are the next step in this process, and they start next week in the Capitol. The schedule for these hearings can be found here and you can watch them here.
Overall, I support the Governor’s budget proposal which seeks to make critical investments in infrastructure, community safety, business and economic development, affordability, healthcare access, and housing affordability. It makes important investments in education and childcare access. Making key investments in Pennsylvania will give us a stronger economy now and for the future.
An issue I’m very cognizant of is the impact of changes to federal budget allocations will have on the Pennsylvania budget. As you know, I recently joined the Health Committee. In a conversation with the Secretary of Health, she relayed that 70% of the department’s annual budget comes from federal monies. Among other things, federal funding serves people with disabilities, makes healthcare and food available to low-income children, infants and adults, enables early learning programs, and funds some nursing homes.
As we see proposals at the federal level seeking to make significant cuts to programs like Medicaid and those which combat food insecurity, despite the high points of the Governor’s proposed budget, I fear for the most vulnerable among us. Around this time of year, I often speak with organizations that serve our most at-risk populations. Since my last weekly email, my office and I have met with multiple organizations and families regarding how this year’s state budget will serve children and adults with profound disabilities. As we commence the budgeting process, I feel like it would be a disservice to look at our budget only in the context of state dollars. Pennsylvania, like most states, relies heavily on federal funding to accomplish programs, services and grants. You can see from the graphic below just how many federal dollars flow through our budget. Losing federal funding, even to a small degree, will mean significant cuts to many programs and services.
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Budgeting in such a volatile time creates a tremendous amount of uncertainty. As I begin what will be a few weeks of emails discussing the Governor’s proposed budget, I want to start with the programs that utilize the majority of the commonwealth’s funds. Last year, our Health and Human Services expenditures accounted for 39.1% of our operating budget, while Education accounted for 36.3%.
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Highlights to note in the Governor’s proposal include investments in the healthcare workforce, mental health services, our aging population, and mitigating hospital closures. This proposed budget invests $21 million to direct service providers to increase the wages for approximately 8,500 workers statewide, and ensure they have access to paid time off and affordable health insurance. Shapiro’s proposal increases funding for mental and behavioral health services, including, $20 million to counties for community based programming (with a total investment of $60 million over three years); $10 million to support 9-8-8 crisis hotline operations; $5 million for crisis stabilization centers; $5 million for Neurodegenerative Disease Research; and $5.8 million increase to expand diversion and discharge programs for individuals with mental illness currently in the criminal justice system. Programming to support Pennsylvania’s Older Adults, including a $20 million increase for PENNCARE to meet the increased service needs of older adults; a $3 million increase for Aging Our Way to modernize the commonwealth’s Aging and Disability Resource Center; and $2.3 million to add 180 spots to the Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) program, were included.
The Governor’s proposal included $7.5 million for the Department of Health’s Long-Term Care Transformation Office to provide guidance, support, and technical assistance to mitigate nursing facility closures and support workforce retention as well as $20 million to provide for patient safety and support to hospitals to help address barriers to care like affordability, transportation, and access; a $10 million increase to maintain access and services in hospitals throughout the commonwealth; and a $10 million increase to maintain access and services in rural hospitals.
Last year, Pennsylvania made a significant investment in education, taking the first step to fulfilling our constitutional duty to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education. The Governor’s budget proposal seeks to build on that investment by increasing adequacy funding and creating property tax relief. The proposal invests $75 million in basic education and $40 million in special education. It also saves $378 million in local property taxes by ending the predatory funding structure of many cyber charter schools by instituting a statewide $8,000 per-student base tuition rate for cyber charter school students. The budget makes a $125 million investment in school infrastructure and allocates $25 million to cut energy bills, continues to fund mental health programs (level funding at $100 million), free school breakfasts, and focuses on getting more teachers into and staying in classrooms ($42.5 million). It also seeks to strengthen our pre-k programs by investing in workforce retention and development for educators providing high quality, affordable pre-k programs. The budget includes over $100 million to help students afford state colleges, puts $60 million in funding for state universities through a performance-based funding formula and allocates funding to flat fund PASSHE schools. Last year, the universal school breakfast program served 91.4 million breakfasts. As we look at the potential impact of federal food insecurity prevention programs being drastically cut, ensuring that kids have access to meals at school will become more essential.
I support the Governor’s proposed budget, however, I’ll ask that while you’re watching the news and seeing proposed cuts that affect essential programs, please keep in mind how reliant we are on federal aid to accomplish all we do. Reach out to your federal representatives and tell them how important federal funding is to you. I cannot imagine voting for a budget that means some will be left without medical care, without housing, and without food. I always mention that our budget is a moral document, reflective of our values. This year, we are in the potential position of facing drastic cuts that most harm the “least of us” and the question might be how, and whether, we respond to such cuts. My hope is that our collective advocacy will help ensure that funding for essential programs does not end.
I ask you to continue to reach out to your federal representatives; Sen. Fetterman, Sen. McCormick, and Congresswoman Dean.
State Democrats are working to ensure access to previously allocated federal funds. While Attorney General Sunday chose not to join AGs from 22 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration last month to end the freeze, yesterday, Governor Shapiro sued the Trump Administration for its unconstitutional freeze of federal funding. Even after multiple previous court orders releasing the funds, Pennsylvania state agencies remain unable to access over $2 billion in federal funding. If you want to reach out to Governor Shapiro to thank him for his action you can email his office here. Attorney General Sunday can be reached here.
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2024 Tax Forms and the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program
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My office now has 2024 state tax forms. Call or stop by my office today to request copies. For assistance with filing the Property Tax/Rent Rebate, please call 610-277-3230!
Applications are now open for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. This program benefits older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities by providing a portion of money back on property taxes or rent paid in the prior year.
It’s quick and easy to apply online at https://pa.gov/PTRR, but my district office can also provide paper applications to anyone interested.
See if you qualify per the income parameters below. Remember, 50% of your Social Security benefit is excluded when determining your income.
Any questions can be directed to my office by calling (610) 277-3230 or emailing RepHanbidge@pahouse.net.
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Do you need a REAL ID? Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a state-issued REAL ID?-compliant license or identification card, or another acceptable form of ID (such as a U.S. Passport), to fly within the United States.
You can get a REAL ID now or when you renew your driver's license. Learn more about REAL ID at https://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID/ and feel free to contact my office at 610-277-3230 with any questions.
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PA ABLE SEMINAR – Feb. 20
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Join me for this 30-minute live webinar presented by Pennsylvania Treasury. Learn how PA ABLE is enabling individuals with disabilities and their families to save for financial security without impacting important benefits.
This is a must-attend webinar for people with disabilities, as well as parents, caregivers, and rep payees. Employers can also learn why PA ABLE is gaining traction across the commonwealth as a key component of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and adding value to employee benefits packages.
Sign up here to attend this informative webinar.
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My office is proudly accepting book donations from Jan. 21 until March 2 (Dr. Seuss' Birthday) for the Ambler Boys and Girls Club. Please drop off your new and/or gently used books for children in grade 1-5 at my district office during normal business hours, Monday -Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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American Red Cross Spring Blood Drive – March 3
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My office is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Monday, March 3, from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Montgomery County Community College. To host a blood drive on this day is particularly meaningful for me since I lost my mother to blood cancer on March 3rd of last year. The incredible generosity of blood and plasma donors kept her alive to valiantly fight her cancer for an additional 18 months and I could not be more grateful to everyone who donates blood. By donating, you can save the lives of three people, so please consider donating today! Sign up here!
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Have you been receiving questionable phone calls, text messages and emails and are not sure if they are a scam? If so, please join my office along with the Lower Gwynedd Police Department, PA Office of Banking and Securities, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, PA Office of Attorney General, AARP Pennsylvania to help you protect yourself from frauds and scams!
Seating is limited, so please RSVP today by calling 610-277-3230.
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Shredding and Electronic Recycling Event – March 22
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Join Reps Ben Sanchez, Melissa Cerrato and my office on Saturday, March 22 for a Shredding AND Electronic Recycling event at Temple Ambler from 10:00 a.m. - Noon!
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania students in 1st - 6th grade are invited to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest to promote awareness of ticks, the types of diseases they carry & how to protect yourself. Entries must be received by March 14, 2025! Learn more about the contest here.
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February is Financial Aid Awareness Month! PHEAA has you covered with their free online webinars that tackle every question you may have when it comes to the financial aid process. Click here to register for these incredibly helpful webinars today!
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March 24, 2025 at Elmwood Park Zoo, Montgomery County – REGISTER HERE
PRC works to ensure the general public has the opportunity to safely, correctly and conveniently dispose of their electronic waste including TVs, computers and more.
We are committed to the safe, ethical and responsible recycling of electronic waste through recognition by the Basel Action Network (BAN) as an
e-Stewards® Enterprise. The designation recognizes cities, companies and nonprofits that take concrete measures to eliminate the export of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) to developing countries by using Certified e-Stewards Recyclers to manage their electronic waste.
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The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel, Wissahickon Chapter, is looking for volunteers! Montgomery County's District Attorney's Youth Aid Panel Program (YAP) promotes restorative justice, representing an innovative approach by law enforcement toward juvenile offenders. The YAP provides a second chance for certain first-time juvenile criminal offenders who accept responsibility for their actions and satisfactorily demonstrate both public and private accountability.
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Juveniles and their families meet with trained local volunteer panelists to implement a comprehensive plan that promotes restorative justice for the victim, community, and offender. Panels are staffed by local volunteers who receive specialized training. Panelist must be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen, a Montgomery County resident (for at least one year), must complete a training program, pass a background check, and must commit to a minimum of one-year of service. If you're interested in applying please submit a written application available at Youth Aid Panel | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website (montcopa.org).
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All Seeing Sky
Saturday, 15 February 2025
The performance opens with Wagner’s jubilant Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin with brass blazing and strings to capture the medieval tale of chivalry and betrayal. Then SPSO presents one of the first performances of Greek-New Zealand Composer John Psathas’ All Seeing Sky, an evocative work for two percussionist soloists and orchestra, featuring world acclaimed percussionists Lynn Vartan and Weichin Lin.
Dvorák’s emotionally profound Seventh Symphony concludes the concert as a personal reflection on grief and joy.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
7:30 p.m.
Calvary Baptist Church
1380 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA
Get tickets here
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4102
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District Office
1098 W. Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230
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