Dear neighbors, I’ve always said budgets are moral compasses — and Governor Shapiro’s budget address in early February made that clear.
First and foremost, I’m excited about the potential to expand affordable housing across the Commonwealth. The governor’s proposal makes a serious commitment to preserving, protecting, and producing dignified housing in our communities. It includes commonsense reforms like establishing a statewide cap on rental application fees, banning fees before a tenant can even view a property, sealing eviction records for people who were never actually evicted, and capping annual rent increases. Together, these changes protect working families and help more people remain housed — because housing stability is economic stability.
Governor Shapiro also prioritized sustainable funding for public transit — an issue that directly affects our Northside communities. While temporary, stopgap measures are currently keeping systems like Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) afloat, Pennsylvanians deserve stable, reliable funding that protects and expands public transportation for workers, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. That’s why I was encouraged to hear the governor propose increasing the share of Sales and Use Tax revenue dedicated to the Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund to 6.15%, beginning July 1, 2027. Investing in transit strengthens our economy, reduces congestion, and keeps people connected to opportunity. Nearly one million Pennsylvanians rely on public transit to get to work, school, the grocery store, and doctor’s appointments — and our budget should reflect that reality.
Finally, with monthly premiums rising, too many families are being forced into impossible choices between putting food on the table, keeping the lights on, or accessing life-saving health care. In 2026, the mere existence of that choice is unacceptable. Governor Shapiro’s budget treats health care as the necessity it is by proposing a $193 million investment of federal funds to launch the state’s first Rural Health Transformation Plan — strengthening the health care workforce and improving access for our neighbors in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
When we invest in our neighborhoods, Pennsylvania thrives. Harrisburg was buzzing with energy throughout February, and it’s clear my colleagues and I are ready to turn these proposals into real progress for the people we serve.
As always, my office is here to help with Property Tax/Rent Rebates, LIHEAP applications, and other state services. Please call us at (412) 781-2750 or email [email protected] with any questions.
Be well,
Lindsay Powell
