Forty-three state representatives, including Representative Scott Barger of Blair and Huntingdon counties, signed a pledge on June 3 stating they will not vote for, support, or advance any state budget that uses the Rainy Day Fund except in emergencies.
The group said they will oppose using the Rainy Day Fund to balance the budget, close structural deficits, or fund recurring expenditures. The lawmakers wrote the pledge in response to Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposal to increase state spending by $2.7 billion.
“Our constituents should be reassured that we recognize the true purpose of saving money in the Rainy Day Fund – to be used only for a rainy day,” Barger said. “The governor’s appetite to spend, spend, spend has already detrimentally affected the Rainy Day Fund. We need to protect it from further erosion.”
According to projections cited by Barger and his colleagues, the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hold about $8 billion by the end of June. This amount would cover approximately 53 days of state spending.
The open letter signed by Barger and other representatives also notes that any use of funds from the Rainy Day account requires a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly.
