By State Rep. Anthony Bellmon
It has been more than 100 days since Pennsylvania’s budget deadline passed, 100 days of delay that put critical community safety programs at risk. Our city has made historic progress in reducing gun violence, with Philadelphia recording its lowest homicide rate in a decade. That progress is fragile, and without a state budget, the crucial programs that made this sharp drop in shootings even possible hang in the balance.
In the years immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia experienced some of the highest rates of shootings in its history. In both 2021 and 2022, our city saw more than 500 homicides, 562 in 2021 and 516 in 2022. It was one of the most painful and frightening times for our city.
But things have begun to change. In 2024, Philadelphia recorded 269 homicides, the lowest in 10 years. And so far in 2025, we’re on pace for the lowest year-to-date homicide rate we’ve seen in decades.
That progress didn’t happen by accident. It happened because we used the awesome power of the state budget to invest in proven strategies that save lives. Through programs like Building Opportunity through Out of School Time, Violence Intervention and Prevention and Coordinated Community Violence Intervention, Pennsylvania has been able to fund organizations that work every day to stop the cycle of gun violence.
Since I took office in 2023, I’ve made it a priority to ensure these programs are fully funded. I stood alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and dozens of activists from Moms Demand Action to highlight critical funding for state-funded anti-violence programs aimed at tackling this issue head on. In the 2023–24 budget, $40 million was allocated to these initiatives. In 2024–25, that amount increased to $56.5 million. These state dollars went to community-based organizations across the commonwealth, including right here in Philadelphia, that are doing much of the life-changing work.
The impact is real. These organizations keep young people engaged in after-school and summer programs, offer trauma support for victims and families, and provide mentorship and opportunity for youth at risk. This is what happens when we invest strategically: we strengthen communities, we save lives, and we give people hope.
As co-chair of the PA Safe Caucus and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve seen firsthand that the state budget is one of the most powerful tools we have to create change. Legislation sets priorities, but the budget brings them to life. Every dollar we allocate reflects our values and determines the kind of commonwealth we want to build — one where every Pennsylvanian feels safe in their community.
That’s why this current budget impasse is deeply concerning. Without a finalized state budget, the flow of funding that sustains community-based grassroots anti-violence efforts remains uncertain. Organizations that rely on this support to maintain staff, expand programming or continue outreach are left waiting. And when the funding stops, so does the progress.
The most recent proposed budget that passed the House includes $65 million for these lifesaving programs, a substantial investment. It is important that the final budget includes critical funding for these programs so our commonwealth can continue to build on the progress we’ve made.
But funding is only part of the solution. We must also pass common-sense gun safety legislation, like universal background checks and red flag laws, to prevent firearms from ending up in dangerous hands. The House has already advanced several of these measures, but they’ve stalled in the Senate.
Since taking office, my district has experienced two devastating mass shootings, one at the Sturgis Recreation Center and another at the intersection of Rising Sun and Cottman avenues, known as 5 Points. These were young people shot either playing at a recreation center or on their way home from school. These unfortunate events caused young lives to be changed forever, and these tragedies remind me every day of the appropriate urgency this matter requires and the steep price we pay when government doesn’t work fast enough to address the needs of its people. Our children’s lives are on the line.
As a city and as a commonwealth, we are on the right path, but we cannot become complacent. Gun violence affects all of us, and each of us has a role to play. Whether it’s mentoring a young person, supporting a local organization or contacting your elected officials, your voice matters.
Budgets are moral documents. They reflect our priorities and our values. Let’s continue to use the power of the Pennsylvania budget to invest in safety, opportunity and peace. Let’s keep pushing toward a future where every community is free from the fear of gun violence. ••
