North Lancaster News

Imagine sitting in a car dealership, feeling confident about negotiating a favorable deal on a used car. The salesman presents the terms for your signature but then receives a call and leaves. Upon returning, he slides the agreement across the desk.

"Here's everything we discussed," he states. “We’re just slashing the value of your trade-in by 80%. Other than that, we’re all good. Here’s a pen you can use to sign.”

You reach for the pen but then realize, “Whoa, that’s not what we agreed to!”

“Sorry,” the salesman responds. “Guess you should have been better at negotiating.”

The likelihood of completing such a purchase or returning to that dealership is slim.

This scenario mirrors actions that have fueled Pennsylvania's state budget impasse. Governor Josh Shapiro unexpectedly announced his intention to veto funding for a scholarship program aimed at aiding students in Pennsylvania's underperforming school districts.

The announcement was surprising given Gov. Shapiro's consistent public support for the school choice program both as a candidate and as governor. As recently as late June, he reaffirmed his stance in a Fox News interview: “I’ve been very clear that I’m open to [school choice] … We’ve got to invest more in our children, not less. I want to make sure we give every child of God an opportunity to be successful. I think education is key to that.”

During months of budget negotiations with legislative leaders, Gov. Shapiro maintained his support for the measure. State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward remarked, “Senate Republicans worked in good faith with Gov. Shapiro for nearly two months making concessions and giving him all the goodies he wanted with his promise to work with his party and bring [the school choice program] across the finish line.”

The governor’s sudden decision affected not only thousands of students who stood to benefit from improved educational opportunities but also eroded much-needed trust essential for bridging political divides.

Trust is fundamental in any relationship, including governance. Consistent actions are necessary so words can be trusted—a principle evidently intended during budget negotiations but disrupted by Gov. Shapiro’s abrupt change of stance.

Gov. Shapiro is reminded that trust transcends partisan issues, invoking President John F. Kennedy's words: “I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.” Trust remains crucial for working towards Pennsylvanians' common good.

This editorial was submitted by Republican House members from Lancaster County: Rep. Mindy Fee (37th Legislative District), Rep. Brett Miller (41st Legislative District), Rep. Keith Greiner (43rd Legislative District), Rep. Steven Mentzer (98th Legislative District), Rep. Tom Jones (98th Legislative District), and Rep. Dave Zimmerman (99th Legislative District).