HARRISBURG – Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee highlighted the growing costs of the Department of Corrections and lack of clarity in future planning during budget hearings 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 Corrections, Pennsylvania Parole Board
Gov. Shapiro is proposing to increase spending for the state correctional institution system by $143 million to a total of $3.3 billion. The increase comes even as the Shapiro Administration is aiming to save approximately $100 million by closing two prisons and two community corrections centers.
Video Highlights
A Deputy Secretary acknowledged the Shapiro Administration’s future spending projections for the Department of Corrections are “totally unrealistic.”
Doubts were raised about the net savings that will be realized even after the proposed prison closures as Corrections costs continue to rise.
The impacts of excessive overtime, including consequences to mental health and financial implications, were discussed.
Concerns were raised about the safety of Corrections staff, including how to stop the flow of drugs into prisons.
Programs to address habitual parole violators were highlighted.
Ways to reduce the cost of health care for inmates without impacting quality of care were explored.
Recruitment and retention efforts to meet workforce needs were highlighted.
Potential improvements to the assessment of sexual offenders were explored.
The Department’s performance in reducing recidivism was discussed.
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and Office of the State Fire Commissioner
Gov. Shapiro’s budget would reduce funding for PEMA by nearly $13.5 million, a reduction of 29%. Among the proposed cuts was the elimination of $6 million for Urban Search and Rescue – an initiative the governor just signed into law in October 2024.
Video Highlights
Criticisms were shared regarding the governor’s proposed cut to Urban Search and Rescue and its impact on public safety.
Delays and spending authority related to disaster relief were discussed.
Costs and reimbursements for the emergency response to the East Palestine trail derailment were discussed.
The state’s readiness to respond to hazardous material accidents was explored.
The impact of 9-1-1 center consolidations was questioned.
An update was offered on increased cost for fixed assets for software license updates, including the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System.
Questions were raised about how funding would be driven out under the governor’s proposed new grant program for fire companies. EMS companies were excluded from the new program.
Debris management during the response to Hurricane Debby was questioned.
You can find recaps and video from every Senate budget hearing at PASenateGOP.com.
CONTACT: Jason Thompson