Pennsylvania State Representative Jeremy Shaffer has outlined his legislative priorities for the coming year, focusing on government reforms aimed at increasing accountability and efficiency in the state. In a statement released during the holiday season, Shaffer emphasized that his goals are not material but center on meaningful changes to benefit Pennsylvania residents.
Among his proposals is House Bill 1906, which seeks to suspend automatic pay raises for members of the Legislature, as well as the governor and lieutenant governor, in any year when the state budget is not passed by July 1. Shaffer noted that Pennsylvania has one of the largest and most expensive full-time legislatures in the country.
He also called for making legislative service temporary rather than a career, suggesting that individuals should serve for a limited time before returning to private life. Additionally, he advocated for eliminating taxpayer-funded benefits such as travel reimbursements and daily food per diems—benefits that most Pennsylvanians do not receive in their own jobs.
Shaffer highlighted that in seven of the past ten years, the Legislature has failed to pass a budget on time, causing delays in funding for schools, nonprofits, and other essential services across the state.
“These priorities are all part of my ‘Reform for Pennsylvania Plan,’ a blueprint for restoring trust in government and delivering real results for the people of our state,” Shaffer said. “In 2026, I’ll keep working across the aisle to check off this wish list, one reform at a time. Because when it comes to building a better Pennsylvania, the greatest gift we can give is good governance.”
