US EditionGov. Josh Shapiro proposes $53.3B budget as Harrisburg prepares for midterm elections
Governor Shapiro's $53.3 billion budget targets education, transit, and economic growth, proposing $565 million for underfunded schools and $300 million for public transportation.
- At the Capitol on Thursday, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled a $53.3 billion budget, seeking $3.5 billion from the Rainy Day Fund and prioritizing education and transit.
- Positioning the budget as a political platform, Shapiro emphasized $50 million more for basic education, $50 million for special education, and a $100 million transfer for federal disruptions, ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- Major spending items include a $1 billion four‑year infrastructure fund, $300 million for public transportation agencies, and $2 billion from a 52% tax on skill games and 40,000 machines.
- Facing opposition, the proposal faces headwinds in the Republican-led state Senate and must meet the June 30 deadline after last year's late negotiations; Sen. Scott Martin warned, `The moment we start draining that, we'll be downgraded.'
- Shapiro proposed raising the minimum wage to $15, saying it would reduce Medicaid costs by $300 million annually, while also boosting transit funding by 1.75% more sales tax next year and enforcing stricter data center developers and environmental standards.
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UPDATE: Shapiro proposes $53.2B budget, renews policy pushes previously opposed by GOP
Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered a $53.2 billion general fund budget proposal Tuesday to members of the General Assembly, pursuing a slew of initiatives left on the table after last year’s budget slog.
Shapiro unveils record $53.3 billion budget proposal -- here's what's in it
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) touted record economic growth under his watch during his annual budget address. Republicans, however, are calling out the record price tag of his plan. The governor's proposal for the state's 2026-27 budget would cost $53.3 billion, an increase of $2.7 billion from last year's record. His proposal [...]
Shapiro renews pitch for a minimum wage hike in budget speech, but will it fly?
Mention of raising the minimum wage got Gov. Josh Shapiro a hearty reception at Tuesday's budget address, but if past is prologue, will the proposal go anywhere in the Legislature?
AFP-PA Calls Out Gov. Shapiro for Irresponsible State Budget
HARRISBURG, PA – Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania (AFP-PA) criticized Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.2 billion state budget on Tuesday as an irresponsible spending spree that fails to remedy the state’s $5 billion deficit in response to his address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Nick Kerin, AFP-PA deputy state director, gave the following statement: “Governor Shapiro’s budget is set up to fail because Pennsylvania’s budget pro…
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