Grimm Krupa Opposes Budget Built on Deficit Spending and Accounting Gimmicks

July 12, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette) today voted against House Bill 2400, the General Fund budget, saying the spending plan continues Pennsylvania’s pattern of deficit spending while relying on accounting maneuvers to mask the Commonwealth’s worsening financial condition.

“This is another structurally deficit budget that spends more than Pennsylvania is expected to take in,” Grimm Krupa said. “Instead of making the difficult decisions necessary to live within our means, the majority chose accounting gimmicks designed to make the budget appear more balanced than it truly is.”

Krupa criticized the budget’s use of delayed expenditures to improve the appearance of the Commonwealth’s finances.

“A fiscal year consists of 12 months, yet this budget only accounts for 11 months of certain obligations by pushing the remaining month’s costs into the next fiscal year,” she said. “The bills don’t disappear simply because they’re moved to a different ledger. That’s not fiscal responsibility; it’s voodoo budgeting.”

Grimm Krupa also expressed frustration that lawmakers once again failed to make meaningful reductions in government spending or seriously confront fraud, waste and abuse.

“When Harrisburg claims there isn’t enough money, the first question should be whether we’re spending taxpayer dollars wisely,” Grimm Krupa said. “Instead of tightening government’s belt, we continue business as usual. Legislative cost-of-living increases continue, politically connected grant recipients continue to benefit from taxpayer-funded programs with too little transparency and accountability, and meaningful reforms to eliminate waste are once again left on the table.

“Pennsylvania families are expected to make difficult financial decisions every day. They have every right to expect the same discipline from their government.”

Grimm Krupa said the timing of the vote was especially disappointing as communities across Pennsylvania commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

“As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we should also remember the principles that made this nation exceptional: limited government, fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability,” Grimm Krupa said. “Thomas Jefferson warned, ‘To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.’ Those words are just as relevant today as they were more than two centuries ago.”

Grimm Krupa said Pennsylvanians deserve a government that tells the truth about its finances and respects every taxpayer dollar.

“Pennsylvania cannot continue passing structurally deficient budgets while relying on accounting tricks to disguise the true cost,” Grimm Krupa said. “We cannot continue asking taxpayers to do more while government refuses to put its own house in order. We owe the people of this Commonwealth honesty, transparency and courage to make the difficult decisions. That’s why I voted ‘no.’”