Details of the PA Budget

Rep. Leanne Krueger November 18, 2025

PA Representative Leanne Krueger banner image

Dear Neighbor,

Last Wednesday, the House was called back into Harrisburg to vote on and finally pass a balanced, bipartisan state budget that invests in education, protects our seniors, strengthens our workforce, and supports families and vital services. Governor Shapiro signed it into law that same afternoon. I am grateful that the budget is finally done after a budget impasse the stretched on for months because we were seeing real harm to our neighbors because of the lack of a state budget.

The final budget deal is far from perfect: in a divided legislature where the Democrat-controlled State House and Republican-controlled State Senate both had to agree to a budget deal, there were difficult compromises throughout this process. One of them was language in the Fiscal Code that removed Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). While I voted numerous times in previous sessions to uphold RGGI, the reality is that RGGI has been tied up in the courts since 2019 and because of ongoing litigation, Pennsylvania has never benefitted from the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that RGGI realized in other states. In 2023, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court ruled that former Governor Wolf’s efforts to join RGGI were unconstitutional and the case was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments back in May. Meanwhile, Governor Shapiro has distanced himself from RGGI and instead proposed his own version of a cap-and-trade program for the power sector called the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Program (PACER), that would be specific to Pennsylvania. For more information on the history of RGGI, read this story: Pennsylvania ends attempt at climate regulation | 90.5 WESA.

I heard from some neighbors who wanted Pennsylvania to remain in RGGI despite the legal battles, and who are feeling disappointment and frustration with the budget we passed last week. The reality is that after House Democrats proposed multiple budget deals that didn’t include RGGI that went on to die the State Senate, I believe that this was the only way to get a budget deal and end the impasse. Our schools, communities, and nonprofits could not continue to withstand the uncertainty.

Sometimes governing responsibly means tough compromises. I remain committed to supporting legislation that will address the impacts of climate change in Pennsylvania.

Some key budget wins include:

$565 million increase in adequacy and tax equity payments to help meet our constitutional obligation to fully fund public schools.
$40 million increase for special education.
$125 million for school facilities, including at least $25 million specifically for the popular Solar for Schools program that we created last year.
$320 million in federal IRA-Solar for All program dollars appropriated to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) for grants for low-income residential solar installations.
$25 million for a new Childcare Worker Retention and Recruitment program.
A new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit that puts money back into the pockets of working families. Anyone who qualifies for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit will automatically receive a state credit worth 10% back.
$217.7 million increase for the Department of Environmental Protection to support operations and programs.
$750 million increase in Managed Care funding to help care for our seniors.
$5 million in funding for our two remaining hospitals in Delaware County as they absorb increased volume following the closure of Crozer-Chester and Taylor Hospitals.
$100 million to support job creation, innovation, and entrepreneurs.

After four months without a budget, this budget represents a meaningful investment in people and communities across Pennsylvania. I’m grateful for my colleagues who worked tirelessly to ensure resources reach the communities that need them most.

Increases for our Public Schools

Education matters, and it remains one of my top priorities. That’s why I’m grateful for the increased investments made in our local school districts – Chester Upland, Penn-Delco, Ridley, Rose Tree Media, and Wallingford-Swarthmore. These funds will help strengthen classrooms, support students, and provide the resources our schools need to thrive. Every single district saw an increase in this year’s budget.

Budget Wins for Delco Healthcare

With the closure of Crozer-Chester earlier this year and its significant impact on health care in Delaware County, I worked with my colleagues to secure $5 million in state funding for Riddle and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospitals. This support will help both facilities manage the increased patient load created by the loss of Crozer and Taylor earlier this year and ensure our community continues to have access to critical care.

Crozer-Chester Medical Center Update

This morning, the bankruptcy judge in Texas that is overseeing the Crozer bankruptcy case, Judge Jernigan, held another hearing on the Prospect Medical Holdings bankruptcy. In September, we reported that Springfield Township went to court to file an injunction against Prospect, the Foundation for Delaware County, the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County and Ventas Inc. after citing safety concerns with the parking garage that is being used by the YMCA at the Springfield Hospital site. Their lawsuit impacted both the Healthplex and the childcare center operated by the YMCA at that location and sought to shut them down immediately, although the judge temporarily denied that request. During today’s hearing, the court was notified that Prospect, Springfield Township, and the YMCA of Eastern Delaware County had reached an agreement, meaning a Stipulation and Agreed Order, regarding the emergency preliminary injunction filed by Springfield Township. In the Stipulation and Agreed Order the parties agreed:

1. Within 5 days of entry of the Stipulation and Agreed Order, the Pennsylvania petition filed by Springfield Township in the Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County for an emergency preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin Prospect from the use of its property located at 190 W. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA will be dismissed with prejudice.
2. Prospect will withdraw its motion to enforce the automatic stay.
3. The parties will continue to cooperate in good faith to resolve any additional matters at or relating to the property.
4. Prospect is authorized to take all such actions as are necessary or appropriate to implement the terms of the Stipulation and Agreed Order.
5. The Texas bankruptcy court retains exclusive jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of the Stipulation and Agreed Order.

This clears the path for Prospect to move forward with the sale of Springfield Hospital. No new information about the sale of Springfield or Crozer-Chester was shared during the hearing today. As far as we’re aware, the two prospective buyers who won the bids at bankruptcy auction back in October are still proceeding with their bids, although neither sale has closed yet. The winning bidders were Chariot Allaire Partners LLC, which bid $10M for Crozer-Chester Medical Center, and Restorative Health Foundation and Syan Investments LLC, which bid $3M for Springfield Hospital.

My staff and I will continue to follow these developments closely. If you want to follow on your own, Prospect Medical Holdings has created a website with information that includes court documents and hearing dates, including a link to watch the upcoming hearings: https://cases.omniagentsolutions.com/?clientId=3725 and https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/jerniga.

In the District

ChristianaCare Micro-Hospitals Coming to Delco

On Friday, I had the opportunity to tour ChristianaCare’s West Grove campus in Chester County and get a firsthand look at what’s coming to our community. The new micro-hospital locations in Aston and Springfield will look very similar to the West Grove campus and expand access to emergency care, outpatient services, and specialty services, something our region truly needs.

I was glad to see the beautiful West Grove campus in person, and I’m excited that the Aston campus is expected to open in the second half of 2026, with the Springfield campus opening in 2027. These facilities will play an important role in expanding access and care for families across Delaware County.

Community Generosity on Display

Thank you to Lynn Finelli and David Swerdlow and their family – Kris, Kathleen, and Susan Mervine, Roe Falcone, and Julie and Amy Swerdlow – for generously dropping off many boxes of diapers for our Diaper Drive, which continues until December 12th.

Their support will directly benefit Healthy Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, WIC, and the Maternity Care Coalition, helping families in our community who need it most.

Important Programs and Services

LIHEAP 2025-26 Season Opens on December 3

The LIHEAP 2025-26 season opens on December 3, a month later than usual due to delays in the passage of the federal budget. LIHEAP helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes each year by providing assistance with heating bills and emergency services.

My office is here to help. If you need support submitting your application to the County Assistance Office or have any questions, you can visit HERE or reach out to my office.

Nominate PA Teacher of the Year for 2027

The Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring PreK-12 teachers in public education who have made outstanding academic contributions to Pennsylvania’s school-aged children.

Nominations will be accepted until December 15, 2025.

If you have questions, you can reach out to Exceptional Educators at RA-EDNominations@pa.gov.

Medicare Open Enrollment is Underway

We are currently in the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can switch Medicare plans, enroll in a different Medicare Advantage Plan, change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.

Whether you’re new to Medicare, need help during open enrollment, or have questions, a trained PA MEDI counselor can guide you through it.

For year-round Medicare assistance call your local PA MEDI program or the toll-free PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 Monday through Friday, between 8 AM and 5 PM.

Grants Available

Check out the most recent listing of open grants here.

Our Events

Upcoming November Mobile Office Hours

Crum Lynne

Thursday, November 20

1 PM – 3 PM

Vauclain Fire Company

1201 Haverford Rd., Crum Lynne

Diaper Drive

Accepting Donations Through Friday, December 12

My office is hosting a Diaper Drive benefiting Healthy Start, Nurse-Family Partnerships, WIC, and the Maternity Care Coalition. Please drop off donated new, unused diapers, baby formula, and wipes at the following locations:

Brookhaven District Office

115 E Brookhaven Rd., Brookhaven, PA 19015

Ridley Area YMCA

900 South Ave., Secane, PA 19018

Rocky Run YMCA

1299 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063

For additional information call my office at 610-534-6880.