Neil Makhija Guides County Through Rare Bipartisan Budget

India-West News Desk

PHILADELPHIA, PA –  Montgomery County, PA, has approved its 2026 budget under the leadership of County Commissioner Neil Makhija, marking it as the first bipartisan county budget in nearly a decade. The $1.2 billion plan includes investments in housing, public health, infrastructure, and workforce development.

Makhija, who chairs the Board of Commissioners, oversaw the budget process and guided it to unanimous approval, a rare show of cross-party consensus in a politically influential county. Officials said the budget reflects a data-driven approach tailored to local needs amid national and state political gridlock.

Under Makhija’s leadership, the county is allocating $5.3 million for housing and homelessness programs, $7.2 million for public health and safety, and $35 million for infrastructure, including 131 bridges and 75 miles of roads. Parks and historic sites will receive $16.6 million, and $1.5 million will support workforce development and improve county operations.

Makhija oversees approximately 3,000 county employees responsible for infrastructure, public safety, human services, and the criminal justice system. Before entering elected office, he taught election law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and represented Pennsylvania counties in litigation against pharmaceutical companies over the opioid crisis.