Gillen Issues Statement on 2026-27 State Budget

July 12, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks) issued the following statement regarding the 2026-27 state budget:

“This budget season evolved from an unsustainable spending proposal to a finished product that preserves our Commonwealth’s $8 billion state savings account.

“There are millions of dollars in this budget that will specifically come back to Berks County for road and bridge repairs that I will be identifying with PennDOT.

“The fact that we were able to come to an agreement on no new taxes and a tax cut is significant. The education dollars going to our schools are robust and will help limit property tax increases until we can eventually put the issue of elimination before the voters via referendum.

“The electorate has chosen a divided government in Pennsylvania, and while there are differences in budgeting approaches, there is little difference on issues such as helping frail elderly retired teachers, increasing investments in career and technical education, and preserving school choice.

“The Commonwealth still has much financial work to do on addressing our structural deficit. As a government, we must recommit to living within our means, just as our families in the community do every day.

“Our state Rainy Day Fund is earning hundreds of millions of dollars for us in interest each year. Spending that account down for one-time expenses is unwise, and I have resisted such efforts this year, and I will continue to do so.”

Representative Mark M. Gillen
128th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives