Pennsylvania State Representative Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) issued a statement following the passage of the state’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget by the Pennsylvania House. The budget was approved with bipartisan support.
“Today, Pennsylvania receives a budget that keeps its fiscal future secure. This budget, while increasing spending from last year, does not take any money from our Rainy Day Fund, protecting Pennsylvania’s finances,” Cutler said.
He highlighted several aspects of the new budget, including Pennsylvania’s exit from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). According to Cutler, “There are also numerous wins in this budget that will help Pennsylvanians across our Commonwealth. First, with this deal, Pennsylvania will be getting out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI has been a bad deal since day one, when former Gov. Tom Wolf unilaterally brought Pennsylvania into the initiative. RGGI has been responsible for nearly $8 billion lost in economic development and the loss of 22,000 jobs related to energy for Pennsylvania.”
Cutler stated that leaving RGGI is expected to prevent an increase in energy prices and enable more energy exports. “Leaving RGGI will see Pennsylvanians energy bills decrease and avoid a 30% increase on energy prices that would have occurred if Pennsylvania stayed in RGGI. Pennsylvania will also be able to export more energy to surrounding states, leading to more investment that will come directly into Pennsylvania,” he said.
The budget includes changes intended to speed up permit processes and improve transparency for applicants seeking air pollution and water quality permits from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It also requires all state agencies to create secure systems so applicants can track their permit status.
Additionally, reforms were made to career and technical teacher certifications. These changes aim to provide new opportunities for qualified individuals interested in teaching students who want careers in technical fields.
Another education measure requires all school entities to adopt evidence-based reading instruction curricula. Students in kindergarten through third grade will be evaluated three times each year for reading competency; those found deficient must receive intervention programs.
Cutler also noted funding secured for neurological disease research: “Finally, on a personal victory, $5 million was secured as part of the General Appropriations bill to fund the Neurological Disease Program I have fought for. This will allow Pennsylvania’s world-class education centers to research terminal neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia and ALS. It is a tiny win, but one that could have major benefits, not just for Pennsylvanians but for the world, and we will see that progress happen here in Pennsylvania. I’ve worked with my colleague, Rep. Kyle Mullins from Lackawanna, on securing this funding for the past few years. We both lost parents to ALS, and his support made securing this funding possible.”
Cutler concluded: “I do not love everything in this budget, but the wins outweigh the losses, and this budget will move Pennsylvania forward in a positive direction.”
