Just three months ago, state lawmakers passed Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 fiscal budget, and now budget season is already back in Harrisburg.

On Tuesday, Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his 2026-27 budget address to the PA General Assembly, proposing a $53.2 billion spending plan across the Commonwealth.

Across Pennsylvania, there are 67 counties and more than 2,500 municipalities looking for a piece of that money, and Shapiro said there’s plenty in store for Erie.

“This is a community that means a lot to me. They’ve had my back, I’ve got theirs, and we’re going to continue to make investments and this budget does just that,” said Shapiro. “I know Erie has lost some businesses over the last 20 years or so. We’re working very, very hard to turn that around, and I think we’re beginning to see some really positive signs with our economic growth.”

Shapiro noted Erie’s importance in the manufacturing and tourism industries, and said his budget invests money into local fire departments, mental health services, the CRIZ program and more.

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Another focus of the governor’s budget is public education, and as Erie schools have been struggling with funding, he said he wants to continue to drive dollars to the school districts that need them most.

“Erie schools will receive in my budget $354 million, and to give you some context, that is $76 million more than the day I took office,” said Shapiro. “A strong foundation in public education is the key to creating opportunity for our young people.”

Shapiro’s budget isn’t final yet, and the process toward finalizing a budget will take deliberation and compromise from both sides of the aisle.

Last year, it took state lawmakers four months to finally pass a budget, impacting funding for dozens of organizations across Pennsylvania, and many legislators are looking to pass a budget sooner rather than later.

For one local state representative, he said he’s prepared to get it done on time and supports Shapiro’s proposal and what it could mean for Erie.

“You name it, this budget has it for people, whether you’re in communities like Erie, or bigger cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or any rural communities out there, this budget has something for you,” said Ryan Bizzarro, PA State Representative (D). “I am happy to be supportive of this budget, and there is no tax increases here, and I think that is very important as we move forward.”

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For Senator Dan Laughlin, the governor’s proposal sounds some alarms.

“Governor Shapiro’s budget spends too much, relies on unapproved revenues, and steers the state closer to a massive tax increase,” said PA Senator Dan Laughlin (R), “Enacting his 5.4% spending increase would take more money from families still struggling with inflation.”

The senator said republicans will continue to hold the line for a fiscally responsible budget, and Shapiro said discussions with Republican legislators have already begun.

“Compromise is tough. It shouldn’t take that long, but it is something that we recognize is going to be critically important for us to do again, but to start a whole lot earlier. To that end, I invited all of the leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike, to my office today to start that process,” said Shapiro.

Shapiro’s full budget in brief can be found here, and the official press release can be found here.

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