February 20, 2026/Midnight
Erie, PA. – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) unveiled the proposal for his 2026-2027 state budget in Harrisburg on Feb. 3. The passing of this budget proposal comes just months after last year’s budget was finalized in November. The 2025-2026 budget experienced months of back and forth in Harrisburg over spending elements of his plan.
The 2026-2027 state budget proposal highlights different goals he plans to achieve before re-election. The main points of his proposal are regulations regarding the raising of minimum wage, the legalization of adult cannabis use and funding of public schools. In total, the budget plans to spend $53.2 million, exceeding the current budget of $50.1 million.
Starting with his proposal for minimum wage, Shapiro plans to set Pennsylvania minimum wage to $15 per hour starting on Jan.1, 2027. This changes the current minimum from $7.25 an hour, which has been in place for 15 years. Shapiro’s Budget in Brief says raising minimum wage will “generate economic activity, increase the purchasing power of Pennsylvania residents, and add roughly $80 million annually in increased revenue to the Commonwealth.”
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Legalizing adult cannabis has been a topic reaching every state. Shapiro believes Pennsylvania is losing out on critical tax revenue and new businesses from neighboring states. This section of the budget proposes a regulatory framework to legalize and tax adult use cannabis. This will provide a real opportunity for Pennsylvania farmers to cultivate a new, legal industry and establish a thriving market for the state. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, this will generate more than $200 million annually in tax revenue once fully implemented.
Education was a big talking point in Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. An additional $565 million will be used to continue helping public schools that are historically underfunded. This will promote basic education funding in public schools to ensure every student receives a thorough and efficient education by driving more dollars to the schools that need them most.
The budget plans to establish, maintain, or expand after-school tutoring assistance, full-day pre-kindergarten or kindergarten programs, social and health services, continuing professional development, school libraries, etc. This budget also increases Special Education Funding by $50 million. Other proposals Gov. Josh Shapiro mentioned were school safety and mental health support receiving $111 million, and student teacher stipends increase by $5 million, which is $35 million annually.
The AFTPA (American Federation of Teachers, PA) applaud Gov. Shapiro for his continued efforts and commitment to public education. AFTPA pressures State legislatures “to do its job and pass this budget on time – for our students, for our members, and for all Pennsylvanians.”
Each budget passed under Gov. Shapiro is working towards a greater Pennsylvania. The 2025-26 budget and the 2026-27 budget deliver real results for the people of Pennsylvania – building on two years of progress.
Gov. Shapiro states “Pennsylvania is on the rise, and this budget continues our progress, solving problems that Harrisburg has ignored for years, creating more opportunity for our students, workers, and businesses, and putting the Commonwealth on a path to sustained growth.” He believes that Pennsylvania is on the brink of serious upward progress following the success his term has brought.
Shapiro says he is striving for nothing but progress with this new proposal. While awaiting the vote on this budget, Pennsylvanians hope for an easier conclusion compared to last year’s vote. With this budget proposal during a re-election year for Shapiro, the success of this budget directly aligns with the possibility of becoming the incumbent governor of Pennsylvania.