KIM WARD SAYS THAT TAXES WILL NOT BE RAISED IN 2025-26 BUDGET

State Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward has said that taxes will not be raised as part of the 2025-26 budget.  The Trib reports that there are five weeks until the state budget is due, and legislators still do not know how proposed federal spending cutbacks will impact the budget.  But at the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce’s State of the State breakfast, Ward said that tax increases are off the table.  Ward added that lawmakers do not want to use any of the state’s $7 billion rainy day funds to balance the budget.  The state budget is due June 30th.