In the speech, Gov Shapiro indicated that education and community improvement were two highlights of the proposed $44 billion spending plan. Centre County Rep. Scott Conklin stated that his district has seen what education spending can do for an economic boost to an area. Conklin said that he also supported Shapiro’s stance on the state police. But on the republican side, Rep. Rich Irvin of Huntingdon says that while the speech sounded good, the numbers don’t quite jive. Irvin says he will fight to hold the line on spending and will focus on the core functions of government. Blair County Senator Judy Ward says Shapiro’s regional greenhouse initiative is a concern, saying that he is banking on generating $600 million more in revenue, which will mean higher electric bills and higher inflation for pa families already hurting.
