Amid war of words on overdue budget, Pennsylvania House passes $50.25 billion spending plan
The budget stalemate stems from disagreements over spending and taxes, with Democrats proposing a 5% increase and Republicans insisting on flat funding, delaying billions in state payments.
- On October 8, 2025, the Harrisburg, Pa. state Capitol marked 100 days without a spending plan as the Democratic-led Pennsylvania House passed a second general funding bill and sent it to the Senate.
- After months of closed-door talks, leaders remain split over spending and revenue as House Democrats amended a Senate stopgap with $2.6 billion in added spending and no clear funding source.
- Counties and schools report missed payments and frozen spending as the impasse drags on; Philadelphia's only rape-crisis center laid off staff earlier this week, and Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a $500 million loan program.
- As a result, Pennsylvania stands alone without a budget for the coming fiscal year, the House won't return until Oct. 27 while the Senate remains on a 24-hour call, and the bill passed with a 105-98 House vote.
- If unresolved, financing gaps point to tax increases and prolonged strain on services as the $7 billion emergency savings account and $11 billion reserve fund can’t be raided, and some lobbyists expect a deal only by December.
22 Articles
22 Articles

House Democrats send new budget proposal to Senate on 100th day of impasse in Pennsylvania
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2025, about the state budget impasse. (Photo by Peter Hall/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)In the first public action in nearly two months amidst the state budget impasse, lawmakers in the Democratic-led House approved a $50.25 billion spending proposal and sent it to the Senate for consideration. The 105-98 vote Wednesday followed an afternoon of heated …
AFP-PA Statement on State House Budget Proposal - Americans for Prosperity
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania (AFP-PA) rebuked House Democrats’ plan to increase state spending, calling the “compromise” an irresponsible increase that would destabilize the state’s fiscal outlook. Emily Greene, AFP-PA state director, gave the following statement: “This proposal fails to solve Pennsylvania’s structural deficit and will eliminate our rainy-day fund in no time. House Democrats owe it to their cons…
Pa. House passes 2nd funding bill with budget stalemate at 100 days
On the 100th day of Pennsylvania’s budget impasse, the state House of Representatives passed a second general funding bill, sending it to the Senate, after House Democrats accused Senate Republicans of stalling.
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