“I'm here today to let the world know how important it is for a caregiver to be able to take care of their loved one, to keep them at home... Governor Shapiro, I want to say thank you, and I'm here to fight with you. We are here to fight with you.”

Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget includes commonsense solutions to problems facing Pennsylvanians — especially when it comes to strengthening the Commonwealth’s workforce.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal delivers commonsense solutions to challenges facing Pennsylvanians — especially when it comes to strengthening our workforce. 

A key focus of the Governor’s proposal is investing in workforce development to ensure there are enough trained professionals in industries critical to Pennsylvania’s future. That includes addressing worker shortages in direct care, home care, and other health care sectors — which provide essential services to Pennsylvanians all across the Commonwealth. 

In his budget address, Governor Shapiro called on the General Assembly to join him in solving these problems, offering proposals to increase wages, fund paid time off, and improve access to affordable health insurance for direct care workers.

Cheryl Harp, a Harrisburg home care worker, provides personalized care for her mother, Veronica, who developed dementia and needs assistance to remain at home as she aged. In a new video, Cheryl shares why stronger support for direct care workers is essential.

Click here to watch Cheryl’s story or read the transcript below.

TRANSCRIPT

“The gratification of taking care of your loved one to keep them from going into a nursing home is awesome. 

My name is Cheryl Harp and I'm from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

I'm here today to let the world know how important it is for a caregiver to be able to take care of their loved one, to keep them at home. 

What keeps me up at night is the fact that I don't have any health insurance. What keeps me up at night is to know that if something truly happens to me — who is really going to be there to take care of my mom?

To have Governor Shapiro, to really single me out, it's just amazing. I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm thanking Governor Shapiro for acknowledging what we actually do as caregivers. 

Governor Shapiro, I want to say thank you, and I'm here to fight with you. We are here to fight with you.”