HARRISBURG – Shapiro Administration officials faced questions about cuts to funding for Avian Influenza and workforce development amidst a flurry of new proposed spending during public hearings of the Senate Appropriations Committee today.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $51.5 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26 features a 7.5% spending increase over the current year. Senate Republicans have previously projected that Shapiro’s spending plan would create a funding shortfall of more than $27 billion over the next five years.
Department of Agriculture
Gov. Shapiro is proposing $255 million in funding for the Department of Agriculture, a $6 million cut from the current year. A proposed $25 million reduction to programs fighting Avian Influenza was one of the largest cuts. At the same time, the governor proposed increasing funding for his new Agriculture Innovation and Development program by $15 million.
Video Highlights
Serious concerns were raised about the proposed $25 million cut to Avian Influenza and its potential impact on Pennsylvania’s top industry.
The Secretary of Agriculture noted the cut to Avian Influenza was intentional. The reallocation of resources away from Avian Influenza was criticized.
The threat of transmission of Avian Influenza to other species was explored.
How the state would respond to outbreaks of other animal-borne diseases was discussed. The Secretary of Agriculture acknowledged the Department would need additional resources if they had to deal with an outbreak of Avian Influenza if coupled with another disease.
How the Avian Influenza outbreak is affecting food processors was highlighted.
The proposed rise in administrative costs for farmland preservation and the loss of farmland due to eminent domain were questioned.
The transfer of funding from the Racehorse Development Fund was questioned. The Secretary of Agriculture expressed concerns about the future of the industry in Pennsylvania.
The length and economic impact of a quarantine on mushrooms was explored.
Addressing food processing residuals was discussed.
Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
Gov. Shapiro’s budget would reduce funding for DCED to $430 million, a cut of nearly $70 million from the current year’s spending. Committee members raised concerns about numerous proposed cuts, including his $15 million reduction to highly successful workforce development programs.
Video Highlights
Concerns were raised about programs targeted for increases in Shapiro’s budget next year that still haven’t allocated funds for the current year, including new programs like PA Sites and Main Street Matters.
The governor’s spending plan would increase funding for Historically Disadvantaged Businesses by $20 million to a total of $60 million annually, despite the fact the program has only committed $4 million and not actually spent any money in the past two Fiscal Years.
Significant delays in administering tax credits awarded through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program were criticized.
Concerns were raised about the proposed elimination of various tax credits.
The economic impact of upcoming events like FIFA World Cup and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration was discussed.
The abrupt move of the Office of Open Records from its current office space was questioned.
You can find recaps and video from every Senate budget hearing at PASenateGOP.com.
CONTACT: Jason Thompson