Before Governor Shapiro took the stage to announce his $48.3 billion state budget proposal, I took an opportunity to make one last budget request.

I extended my left arm beyond my suit jacket and showed the governor the end of my sleeve.

“In anticipation of your budget address,” I told him, “I wore my SEPTA token cufflinks – hoping for a big investment.”

“Relax,” Shapiro smiled back. “I got you.”

This year’s budget address was filled with promise. After a full year in office, Governor Shapiro had time to get feedback from advocates, constituents, and lawmakers. I used the months leading up to the budget address to introduce funding bills, verbally presented my priorities to Lieutenant Governor Davis and the administration, and even submitted a written list of my funding requests.

Our August PA House chamber was under renovation, so Shapiro’s speech before both chambers was occurring under the even more ornate Capitol Dome. 

My colleague Representative Lindsay Powell and I, serving as the official House escorts for the annual address, walked the governor across the uneven Mercer-tiled rotunda floor to the podium for his speech.

The Rotunda budget address speech was the first of its kind in the 118-year-old building’s history.

Governor Shapiro’s speech matched the moment.

As I listened to the speech, the governor called for many big-ticket items I’ve been lobbying his administration for.

A $1.1 billion increase in school funding. Given years of unconstitutionally bad education funding from Harrisburg, this is the “lifeline” our students need.

$50 million for Whole Home Repairs. Money that will reimburse neighbors on fixed incomes to pay for needed home improvements so they can stay in their homes.

And, yes, our public transit funding. To be precise, $283 million in increased statewide transit funding this year. Funding that will allow us to keep the Chestnut Hill West regional rail running, and critical bus lines like the 9, 23, and 27 intact. 

Governor Shapiro’s budget included other items I requested. Priorities that often escape the press’ attention, but are critical, nonetheless.

Like nearly half a billion dollars to increase caregiver wages through state and federal sources.

An eight-fold increase in Alzheimer's support for families and caregivers.

And nearly $40 million in additional funding for our Department of Environmental Protection – money that will help PA mitigate our climate crisis and ensure our access to clean air and water.

And I was thrilled to hear Governor Shapiro promise to fund three of my bills that we passed in the Pennsylvania House.

First, my affordable housing bill. As part of my dissertation work at the University of Pennsylvania, I spoke to many individuals who struggled to find permanent housing due to a lack of options. Shapiro’s budget sets a pathway to fully fund the $40 million annual investment in our commonwealth’s affordable housing fund that my bill (HB 1316) requires. This means more affordable homes in our community and fewer people who are unhoused.

Second, my medical debt cancellation bill. As President of the Pennsylvania Nurses Association, I led a successful effort to cancel over a quarter million in patient medical debt. Because I know people who are in debt because they got sick are more likely to skip out on seeking medical care. Because medical debt is bought on one cent on the dollar, Governor Shapiro’s modest pledge to fund the program I helped create (through HB 78) means ending $400 million in medical debt in PA. So, instead of getting a letter from a bill collector, people can get a letter from the Commonwealth telling them their medical debt has been resolved.

And finally, my non-profit security grants funding bill. Recently, we’ve seen a surge in cases of antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes. Governor Shapiro pledged to fully fund the $5 million non-profit security program outlined in my bill, HB 1772. This means mosques, synagogues and LGBTQ+ centers, and other places at risk for hate crimes can be further protected. Because safe spaces should be safe.

Although there’s always room to fine-tune certain priorities, Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget was the one my Democratic House colleagues and I were hoping for.

Governor Shapiro even delivered on funding for anti-gun violence support. This promise was especially resonant with the family of Nicholas Elizalde, the 14-year-old Roxborough High football player who was murdered after football practice. Nick’s mom, Meredith, and his grandmother, Marge, watched from the balcony as guests of the governor.

After he concluded his remarks, Governor Shapiro left to a thunderous applause.

But before he could leave the Rotunda, I stopped him as he walked up the aisle.

“Governor Shapiro, great speech! Thank you!”

He stopped momentarily, shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and gave me a slight grin. His look said it all.

I told you. I got you.

Tarik Khan is the PA State Rep. for Chestnut Hill.