Kazeem praises bipartisan budget’s historic investments in education and support for working families in 2026-27 state budget
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus July 13, 2026 | 3:02 PM
HARRISBURG, July 13 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, celebrated the 2026-27 state budget’s historic investments in education and support for Pennsylvania’s working families.
“Our students deserve a high-quality education, so they have the skills and knowledge to adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive global workforce,” Kazeem said. “This budget will ensure that all Pennsylvania’s students have access to educational opportunities that will lay the foundation for life-long success.”
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.
Kazeem said the school districts in the 159th Legislative District will benefit from significant funding increases:
- $6.3 million, or 4.9% increase for Chester-Upland School District
- $1.5 million, or 7.1% increase for Chichester School District
- $1.3 million, or 5.1% increase for Ridley School District
- $404,000 or 3.4% increase for Penn-Delco School District
Kazeem 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)
- 41.2 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,” Kazeem said. “This funding will save lives and reduce stress on our healthcare system.”
She also highlighted the budget funding for two Delaware County hospitals and a nursing home:
- $4 million for Riddle Hospital
- $2 million for Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
- $2 million for Fair Acres
“With Crozier’s closure, our residents must rely on other Delaware County hospitals for their healthcare,” Kazeem said. “This money is critical so these organizations can carry out their life-saving mission.”
Kazeem 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, Kazeem 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 two-parent families simply can't make ends meet on a single income, and, if even if that was a possibility, stepping away from the workforce to care for children can have long-term effects on a parent's career and earning potential,” Kazeem said.
“Our single-parent households can’t even consider staying at home to take care of their children so this funding will give them peace of mind that their children are receiving quality care while they are working to support them.”
Kazeem 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,” Kazeem said.
The budget also includes the following funding increases and new investments:
- $7 million for SNAP/EBT chip cards.
- Expanded funding for the successful Violence Intervention and Prevention program to $62.2 million.
- Boosted statewide enforcement funding by 35.8% against human trafficking and child predators to keep communities safe.
- $3.75 million or 18.8% increase for Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance
- 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.
Kazeem 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,” Kazeem 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, safer and more equitable future for our residents.”