Berks County News

Rep. Jamie Barton of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has expressed strong disapproval of the recently passed General Appropriations bill for the 2024-25 fiscal year. In a statement, Barton criticized the handling of budget deadlines, emphasizing his business background where "budget deadlines are non-negotiable." He noted that for two consecutive years, the state missed its June 30 deadline.

Barton highlighted that "House Democrats have a one-seat majority," allowing them control over the House schedule. He accused them of delaying budget discussions until late June, leaving insufficient time for negotiations. This approach, he argued, is not conducive to effective governance.

He further pointed out that school districts in Berks and Schuylkill counties completed their budgets but depend on state funding to finalize them. The delay by the General Assembly complicates their efforts.

Barton also raised concerns about excessive spending in the new budget. He stated it perpetuates a structural deficit by using one-time funds for recurring programs, risking depletion of financial reserves meant for economic emergencies.

To address these issues, Barton supports Republican Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove's proposal to adopt zero-based budgeting (ZBB) in Pennsylvania. This method requires state agencies to justify expenditures annually rather than automatically receiving increases. Barton noted that Governor Josh Shapiro implemented ZBB during his tenure as Montgomery County commissioner.

In closing, Barton asserted that Pennsylvanians deserve efficient use of their tax dollars and believes zero-based budgeting could ensure this outcome.