Governor Josh Shapiro presented his first budget to the state legislature today.
The first term Democrat addressed the House and Senate just before noon to lay out his major priorities for the year.
He led the speech emphasizing the need to work together.
“Seven weeks ago when I took office, I spoke about the mandate that people gave us. They want us to reject extremism and division. They want us to get things done,” Shapiro said. “We have the opportunity to pass a common sense budget that addresses their needs and addresses their problems.”
Some of the details included…
- Elimination of cell phone tax.
- Property tax rent rebate for low-income and seniors.
- Continue to lower corporate net income tax.
- Announced the goal to hire nearly 400 new state police troopers.
- Creates the public safety and protection fund, which would be a dedicated funding sources for the state police that would reduce reliance on the gas tax as a funding mechanism for state police.
- $50 million set aside for county 9-1-1 systems.
