PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Leadership of the Pennsylvania State Police spent several hours in front of state House and Senate committees tasked with hammering out the 2025-26 state budget. Among the many issues discussed was how potential legalization of recreational marijuana would affect PSP’s bottom line.
With Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal calling for the legalization and taxation of recreational marijuana, it offers an additional $2.25 million to State Police for enforcement.
State Police Col. Christopher Paris was asked if he had discussions with the governor about that additional funding.
“I have not spoken to the governor about this issue. Certainly we would be part of a conversation as any legislation moves forward, and we would appreciate a seat at the table for that.”
Lt. Col. George Bivens says one major challenge for law enforcement is the lack of a roadside test, like an alcohol breathalyzer. But Bivens says “drug recognition experts,” or DREs, have been effective in the prosecution of marijuana related DUIs.
“I can tell you that it is a very successful program, but it's a combination of both the DREs observations and the observations of the arresting officer.”
He says they’ll need to train more DREs.
While some state lawmakers argued legalized marijuana would lead to an increase in violent crime, others pointed out it would cut out the black market for marijuana which they say helps fund violent Mexican drug cartels.
Another major concern among lawmakers was proper funding for major events coming up in the state.
Republican Sen. Joe Piccozzi of Philadelphia noted that Philadelphia will host FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star game, NCAA mens’ basketball tournament games, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — all in 2026.
“I can assure you that there is a lot of planning already underway, a lot of coordination at the state, local and federal levels,” Bivens said. “A lot of preparation that we’ll be ready as those events approach.”
Yet to come in 2025, Pittsburgh will host the U.S. Open Golf Championship (at Oakmont County Club) and the Pittsburgh Grand Prix.
While there aren’t specific budget requests, Bivens says there is an additional $11 million for overtime over this year’s budget:
“The ask in the upcoming budget is about $36 million. Some of that takes into account the fact that we've got all of those events and more … as well as, on a nearly daily basis, we are asked to come into various other municipalities.”
State Police tell lawmakers it would be helpful if they raised the cap on the number of troopers who can be hired to serve the state, which is currently around 4,800.