New Poll: Pennsylvanians Reject Shapiro’s Budget, Demand More Educational Choice, and Oppose Costly Energy Mandates

Harrisburg, Pa., June 24, 2025 — A new poll commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation finds Pennsylvanians rejecting Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priorities, demanding affordable energy over costly climate mandates, and supporting school choice.   

Pennsylvania State Budget 

Voters overwhelmingly reject Governor Shapiro’s proposed $53.3 billion budget upon learning that his proposed deficit spending will result in a $2,100 tax hike per family of four. 

• Shapiro’s Budget Proposal: 61 percent oppose the governor’s proposed budget, while only 23 percent support it. That’s a net 38-point margin of opposition.
  • Opposition to the proposal is bipartisan. Only 31 percent of Democrats support it, compared to 19 percent of independents and 16 percent of Republicans. 
• Rainy Day Fund: 60 percent oppose Governor Shapiro’s plan to raid $4.6 billion from the emergency Rainy Day Fund to cover his proposed deficit spending. Only 23 percent support it. 

The public’s verdict on proposals by Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania House Democrats to cut educational choice is equally clear: 

• Scholarships [EITC/OSTC]: 65 percent oppose reducing the amount of tax-credit scholarships available to students, as originally proposed in House Bill (HB) 2632, compared to just 21 percent in support—a stunning 44-point margin of opposition. 
• Public Charter School Funding: 55 percent oppose the proposed $500 million cut, including part of Shapiro’s proposal, outlined in HB 2634, compared to 29 percent in support—a 26-point margin of opposition. 

K–12 Education 

Pennsylvanians have concerns about the current K–12 system and express a strong desire for educational options: 

• More than six in ten (61 percent) give Pennsylvania’s K–12 system a grade of C, D, or F. 
• If cost were not a factor, two-thirds (66 percent) would choose an educational option other than their assigned public school for their child. 

More than seven-in-ten Pennsylvanians support every school-choice expansion proposal tested in this survey, by margins of 55% or more. And in a finding that should give pause to Governor Shapiro and House Democrats, support among Democrats is the strongest of any party affiliation on every single proposal: 

• Expanding tax-credit scholarships (EITC/OSTC): 74 percent support, with only 15 percent opposing (+59-point margin). Support spans party lines, including 78 percent of Democrats, 73 percent of Republicans, and 76 percent of independents. 
• Voters overwhelmingly urge Gov. Josh Shapiro to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit: 71 percent support and just 16 percent oppose (+55-point margin). Support is especially strong among Democrats, with 79 percent in favor. 
• Education Opportunity Accounts enjoy strong support, with 74 percent in favor and 17 percent opposed (+57-point margin). 
• A refundable education tax credit earns 75 percent support and just 15 percent opposition (+60-point margin). 

Pennsylvanians Demand Affordable Energy—and Reject Costly Climate Mandates 

The same affordability concerns driving voter frustration with Pennsylvania’s fiscal outlook also shape public attitudes toward energy policy: 

• 79 percent reported higher electricity bills in the past year.  
• 78 percent say the state government should prioritize affordable energy, while only 22 percent prioritize policies aimed at combating climate change. 
• 65 percent oppose Governor Shapiro’s climate proposals, the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) and Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS). Just 19 percent support the proposals. 
• 69 percent support building additional natural-gas infrastructure to deliver energy to homes and businesses, strengthen grid reliability, and reduce energy costs. 
• 50 percent support eliminating Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards mandate and allowing electricity to be purchased based on cost and reliability rather than government mandates, while only 29 percent oppose the proposal—a 21-point margin in favor. 

Direction of the State & Political Climate  

• About four out of ten Pennsylvania voters (38 percent) believe the state is headed in the right direction.  
• Top voter concerns: cost of living (32 percent) leads by a wide margin, followed by Pennsylvania’s economy (11 percent) and a tie between taxes (8 percent) and crime (8 percent). 
• Household budget concerns: The most pressing household budget concerns include groceries (25 percent), utility costs (24 percent), and housing costs (15 percent). 

Commonwealth Foundation Chief Policy Officer Nathan Benefield issued the following statement in response: 

“As lawmakers negotiate the state budget, Pennsylvanians revealed a clear roadmap. They reject tax hikes, oppose draining the Rainy Day Fund to sustain massive spending increases, strongly support expanding educational opportunity, and stand firmly against policies that would increase energy costs.

“The path forward requires a responsible budget that protects taxpayers, encourages energy production, and gives families more education options. As the budget deadline approaches, Governor Shapiro and House Democrats should listen to Pennsylvania families. Reject deficit spending and future tax hikes, protect and expand education options, and advance a budget that keeps Pennsylvania affordable and competitive—it’s that simple.”

The poll surveyed 833 registered Pennsylvania voters from June 18 to June 21, 2026.

Read the complete poll results and crosstabs.