McClinton touts budget measures that benefit Pa. seniors and families
The state budget passed last month included measures to help Pennsylvanians save money on food, housing and taxes
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton December 3, 2025 | 9:43 AM
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2 – At an event in her district today, Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, outlined measures in this year’s state budget that will save Pennsylvania families and seniors money in the coming year.
“When I speak with my neighbors, I often hear their concerns about paying for groceries and childcare, or finding affordable housing, or the price for prescription drugs,” McClinton said. “Unfortunately, we’re not seeing any help from Washington; in fact, White House economic policy is driving prices up and making it harder for working class people.
“In Harrisburg, my colleagues and I have always been committed to making life more affordable for our neighbors, and as the House majority we’ve been able to deliver on that commitment.”
McClinton noted that the 2023 expansion of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program that benefits seniors and people with disabilities helped about 25,000 people in Philadelphia and Delaware counties, and that a change to the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit in 2024 helped more than 40,000 families in the two counties.
As part of this year’s budget negotiations, McClinton said that she and her caucus advocated for several programs to help people save money, including a new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which will help nearly a million people across Pennsylvania at tax time next year with a tax cut of up to $800.
To address rising grocery costs and food insecurity, the state is steering $40 million to programs that expand access to healthy food, including $10 million for Farmers Market coupons, which help seniors access food while bolstering Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry; and over $30 million for the State Food Purchase Program which empowers counties to secure food and get it to the people in their communities who need it most. The state budget also renewed funding to offer universal free breakfast to every public school student.
“With nearly two million Pennsylvanians - in rural, urban and suburban communities - contending with food insecurity the risk of malnutrition is serious and made worse with federal changes to SNAP,” McClinton said. “But with our targeted investments in food programs, Pennsylvania is a national leader in providing food to at-risk people.”
Finally, McClinton explained that a modification to the Affordable Housing Tax Credit program provides additional flexibility to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to offer the tax credit that will free up more dollars to go toward affordable housing projects in the communities where they are needed most.
McClinton added that the state House will return to session later this month to consider additional legislation to help seniors, families and communities.