HARRISBURG – Growing prison costs, and the economic benefits of eliminating the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in Pennsylvania and improvements to the state’s permitting process were discussed during budget hearings with the Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Parole Board, and the Department of Environmental Protection today.
The governor’s $53.3 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026-27 would increase spending by $2.7 billion, 5.4% more than the current budget.
Department of Corrections
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget would increase spending for the Department of Corrections to nearly $3.4 billion, a $142 million increase on the prior year. The 4.4% increase comes despite the fact the department is closing two correctional facilities and 6,000 beds under capacity for the remaining facilities.
Video Highlights
Concerns regarding prospects of future state prison closures, keeping medical costs down and best practices to treat inmates with serious mental health issues, such as medical parole pilot program, were addressed.
With efforts to focus on cost efficiency and prison violence, questions were raised about the department’s waiver application to hold onto last year’s appropriated money as well as if they would support corrections officers having body cameras.
The department was asked to elaborate on what they are actively doing to improve internal efficiency practices and increase agency cost saving measures, especially since their budget request increased despite closing two state prisons.
Inquired about the percentage of food contributions inmates come from Pennsylvania sources as well as further broke down the benefits and challenges of equipping corrections officers with body cameras.
With SCI Phoenix corrections officers facing struggles with mandatory overtime, the department was encouraged to consider offering voluntary officer transfers with other prison facilities to help alleviate this burden as well as look at potentially reducing open beds and apply that funding to other priority agency needs.
Inmate access to tablets and computers as well as how much taxpayer funding is used to monitor their usage was explored.
Following the PA Parole Board receiving additional funding last year to support its Sex Offender Assessments Board (SOAB), Parole Board Chairman Fox was asked to provide an update on SOAB efforts.
With institution violence rate reaching a record high, questions were raised about what the department is doing to decrease assaults and keep inmates and officers safe.
Department of Environmental Protection
Under Gov. Shapiro’s budget, spending for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would increase by more than $54 million to more than $291 million, $36 million of which is a result of transfers to the Well Plugging Account and the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.
Pennsylvania’s water quality efforts benefit all citizens – not just the Chesapeake Bay. Sen. Martin asks DEP to elaborate on the measurable outcomes of the Clean Streams Fund investments and how they compare to the Chesapeake Bay Commission targets.
Video Highlights
Pennsylvania is a leading exporter of energy; however, the commonwealth is close to reaching its maximum energy storage capacities while trying to meet growing energy demands – concerns regarding this ongoing crisis as well as questions about well plugging and PFAS were discussed.
Regarding the department’s Hazardous Clean Up Fund, DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley was asked to clarify why this fund is shown receiving a $20 million transfer over the next several fiscal years when the governor’s budget proposal states this should only be a one-time transfer.
Questions related to the attempted Cuff Run land grab in York County, the department’s permit payback program and reducing permitting costs to make homeownership more affordable was addressed.
The department was asked about its reduction in permit turnaround, who is responsible for the clean-up of Camp Delmont which is being bought by Natural Lands and the permitting process for portable nuclear reactors.
Eight large scale projects are being fast tracked in Pennsylvania, with six of those being data centers – the department was asked to explain its criteria for fast-tracking these projects.
PFAS and biosolids remain an issue in the commonwealth and it was asked of DEP to share how they are looking to address this. Alternative Sewage Treatment facilities questions were also discussed.
You can find recaps and video from every Senate budget hearing at PASenateGOP.com.
CONTACT: Jason Thompson