Money for K-12, recreational weed, and minimum wage: Gov. Shapiro delivers an ambitious $48.34 billion state budget
The cornerstone of the governor’s budget proposal are major funding increases for the state’s public school and higher education systems. He proposed adown-payment to address decades of chronic underfunding and inequity Former governors from both parties have tried to fix Pennsylvania’s perennial issues. But a state appellate court ruling that, the struggling enrollment in state-funded higher education institutions, and continued population declines put the onus on Shapiro to pitch major overhauls to how things are currently done with a 6.2% increase over last year’s budget. And education advocates lauded his plans.— will test Shapiro’s ability to broker bipartisan deals.
“Look, it is not a badge of honor, nor is it something to be politically proud of for some lawmakers out there to say, ‘I took more money from the good people of Pennsylvania than I needed and then bragged about how I just kept it in some bank account here in the Capitol,’” he said. “You’re going to hear people talk about how much this costs,” said Rep. Jordan Harris , who chairs the House’s powerful appropriations committee. “The cost is too great for us not to do it.”In a departure from tradition, Shapiro delivered the address — his second since taking office — to a joint session of the legislature from the Capitol rotunda, while the House chamber undergoes repairs.
and $500 million in bonds to grow top industries in the state. He also wants to pour millions of dollars into violence prevention, farming, and public transportation, among other areas.— two major Democratic priorities. Legislative leaders said they’re ready to go to bat for those issues this budget season, but they’re likely to face Republican opposition.
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