Rally for a People's Budget held in Harrisburg

Dauphin County, PA — It’s budget month in Harrisburg. Democratic lawmakers joined We the People PA, Make the Road PA, For Our Future PA, CASA and other advocates on Tuesday to address the $9 billion surplus in state budget funds.

It’s the largest surplus in the history of Pennsylvania and they want to see it invested in disadvantaged communities.

Namely, advocates want to raise the minimum wage and add affordable housing. They want the money to help families pay for childcare as well as the high cost of gas and food. They also want to see investments into the state’s infrastructure, gun violence prevention programs, small businesses recovering from the pandemic and frontline workers. Equitable funding for schools across districts, however, is one of their top priorities.

“Our schools need it. Our seniors who haven’t been able to access the property tax rent rebate program, they need it,” House Democratic Leader Rep. Joanna McClinton said. “These funds have not changed in more than a decade and it is absolutely unacceptable.”

In addition to the budget surplus, advocates also want to see the over $2 billion unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds address these needs.