Governor Shapiro’s honored guests come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and on Tuesday, he will lay out a commonsense budget that builds on two years of progress and works to solve the real problems facing Pennsylvanians.

Harrisburg, PA?– On Feb 3rd, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the honored guests from across Pennsylvania who will join him tomorrow as he delivers his 2025-26 budget address. Their stories reflect the experiences of Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth, and the Governor’s budget will propose commonsense solutions to the problems facing them, their families, and their communities as he seeks to keep moving Pennsylvania forward.  

Tomorrow, Governor Shapiro will present his 2025-26 budget proposal to the General Assembly, a commonsense plan that builds on two years of progress and paves the way for a stronger, more prosperous Pennsylvania. Focused on solving problems, the Governor’s proposal is centered on driving economic growth, improving education, enhancing public safety, and cutting costs — all while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

See below for a full list of Governor Shapiro’s honored guests:?

• Nathan Barrett, the Superintendent at the Hanover Area School District in Luzerne County who has used the additional funding secured under Governor Shapiro's past budget to add mental health supports for students.

• Bob Coleman, a Berks County resident who qualified for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for the first time thanks to the bipartisan expansion Governor Shapiro signed into law.

• Michelle Dallago, a U.S. Army veteran and executive director of The Perception Training Center, a childcare center in Schuylkill County.

• Thomasine Frank, a Lawrence County resident who is on a waitlist for home repairs, including help for a leaky roof, rickety basement railing, and issues with windows and doors.

• Cheryl Harp, a Harrisburg home care worker who provides personalized care for her mother, Veronica, who developed dementia and needed more assistance at home.

• Rob Hewitt, a husband, father, and teacher from Philadelphia who, along with his family, relies on SEPTA to get to-and-from work and school.

• Brian Hoerz, a Montgomery County resident, who has worked for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation since 1999, serving as a counselor in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he connects supported individuals with employers looking for talented workers.

• Jayden Johnson, a cadet at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy from Monroe County.

• Luke Leiby, a Cumberland County resident who benefited from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Luke has a visual impairment, but thanks to OVR, he secured a job as a computer programmer in 2022.

• Captain Rich Machey and Assistant Chief Travis Temarantz, representing the Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department. The department responds to over 10,000 calls a year. 

• Jeff Marrazzo, a leader in life sciences who founded and built Spark Therapeutics – the world’s first fully-integrated, commercial gene therapy company. 

• Alexandra Lon, an adult and family literacy student who works as a home health aide with Intra-National Home Care, LLC.

• Meghan Molosky, a trooper in the Pennsylvania State Police from Bedford County. 

• Melanie Williams, a former student teacher who completed her student teaching assignment at Centennial School District in Bucks County thanks to the student teacher stipend program.  

Governor Shapiro has met Pennsylvanians from all walks of life as he’s traveled across the Commonwealth since taking office — listening to their stories and hearing their challenges. His budget creates real opportunity and delivers solutions to the issues Pennsylvanians face every day. The Governor looks forward to sharing this historic address with these honored guests.