FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Media Contact: Alex Downing, alex@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org, 412-229-7061
PA Budget Continues to Prioritize Corporations over Communities
Washington, PA – Working people drive Pennsylvania’s economy. Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget includes some commitments to address the cost of living and improve economic conditions, but ultimately prioritizes corporate profits over working people, their families, and communities. While the budget includes some funding for public education, workforce development, and public transit, it does not provide working people with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.
Instead of simply funding much-needed relief for safe, affordable housing and school district upgrades, the proposed Critical Infrastructure Investments handcuff these benefits alongside even more subsidies to fossil fuel energy generation. While working families throughout PA struggle to pay rent and put food on the table, this budget provides more handouts to multibillion-dollar fracking and power companies and leaves families without a solid path to make ends meet. Budgets are moral documents, and this one lays the groundwork for extending Pennsylvania’s dependence on a harmful, extractive fossil fuel economy while jeopardizing the state’s most vulnerable residents.
“We’ve seen how these budgets play out under the Shapiro administration in the past: big promises on housing and affordability get undermined during negotiations while handouts for corporations go untouched,” said Sarah Martik, Executive Director for Center for Coalfield Justice. “It’s past time our leaders commit to policies that help working people without mixing in poison pills and propping up wealthy corporations on the side. ”
Governor Shapiro’s stated priorities on data centers and energy generation also raise concerns. “The GRID standards would fast-track and subsidize data centers that commit only to the bare minimum demands on transparency and local benefits,” said Nicole Jordan, a Greene County resident. “Pennsylvania has already lost out on hundreds of millions in revenue from facilities because of existing tax credits; we cannot afford to hand more cash to big corporations to reward them for things they should already be doing.”
###