Schweyer: Proposed budget prioritizes Pennsylvania students, workers and families
Rep. Peter G. Schweyer February 3, 2026 | 5:52 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, Majority Chair of the Pennsylvania House Education Committee, released the following statement today in support of Governor Shapiro’s budget address:
“Today, the Governor told Pennsylvania students and their families that regardless of where they live, they deserve a quality education. By continuing to build on the historic investments in K-12 education that we first started two years ago, the governor’s multi-year plan to bring adequacy, equity and accountability into the school funding system is being fulfilled.
“This proposal calls for directing funding to the schools that need it most and includes a $50M increase in Basic Education Funding and a $50M increase in Special Education. These investments will mean children will have more qualified teachers in their classrooms, better access to new technology, safe and comfortable learning environments and improved support for their mental health and wellbeing.
“Additionally, the governor is continuing his calls for increasing access to career and technical education, so students wishing to enter career paths in the trades can have an easier opportunity to do so. With $10M for supporting STEM and computer science programs and a $3.5M increase in the PA’s School-to-Work Program which provides registered pre-apprenticeship career pathways.
“For students enrolled or are planning to go on to higher education after high school, the budget plan also includes calling for increasing funding for PHEAA’s State Grant program to maintain the maximum scholarship award level of $5,750. And for those who are studying to become a teacher, the proposal calls for increasing funding for the Student Teacher Stipend program.
“The proposals the Governor outlined today are encouraging and would truly benefit hardworking Pennsylvania families, but there is a lot of work to do between now and June. My committee is ready to go to advance these initiatives and get it done. I am looking forward to having honest discussions and finding opportunities for agreement on key issues with my colleagues on the other side the aisle,” said Schweyer.