Mar. 07, 2023
HARRISBURG — Rep. Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $45.8 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2023-24:
“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to digging deeper into this proposal. My initial review causes me some concern. This plan does not appear to be fiscally sound as it will spend down our reserves and the Rainy Day Fund that we have worked too hard to create. It’s not raining here in the Commonwealth to the point that we need to open our umbrella.
“Another area that needs further examination is Gov. Shapiro’s plan to transition funding for the Pennsylvania State Police out of the motor licensing fund, where our state gas tax goes. While I agree with the concept, I am concerned where he will find a dedicated funding source for the state police. This idea has been bounced around for a while, but a solution has been elusive.
“A third area of concern is his approach to education. He plans to reduce funding for bus transportation of our K-12 school students. School districts are already having difficulty finding bus drivers. Cutting this line item will exacerbate the problem. In addition, I see no new funding for students who want to seek alternatives to their public school. We have consistently increased the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program to give parents and children choice on where to learn. The lack of even an inflationary increase is concerning.
“I look forward to helping to craft a budget that makes sense for all Pennsylvania residents and doesn’t put our future at risk.”
For more information on the 2023-24 state budget, go to
pahousegop.com.
The 183rd District includes Lowhill and North Whitehall townships and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County. It also consists of Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and Moore (part) townships, and Bath, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport boroughs in Northampton County.
Representative Zachary Mako
183rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepMako.com /
Facebook.com/RepMako