HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed its budget proposal on Wednesday, and while it is a budget, it likely won’t be the budget.

The $53.3 billion budget plan is largely a wish list for Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), though it received support from three House Republicans, passing by a 107-94 vote in the Democratic-controlled House. It’s a $2.7 billion increase from last year, making it the most expensive in state history.

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Leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate said they “have profound concerns” about the bill.

“Moving a budget plan forward is an important step in the process, but much work remains to reach a final agreement which respects taxpayers both now and in the future,” Republican Senate leadership said in a joint statement.

But moving a budget of any kind may be a strategic move by the Democrats. State law requires lawmakers to pass a budget by June 30 each year. Last year’s budget impasse stretched beyond 130 days, with lawmakers coming to an agreement after the November election.

Now, Democrats can say they put forward a proposal while Senate Republicans have not. Shapiro wasted no time, writing in a social media post shortly after the bill passed, “The ball is now in the State Senate’s court. It’s time to get to work to deliver for Pennsylvanians.”

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House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) first proposed the budget plan in March. It mirrors demands laid out in Shapiro’s budget address.

The governor would need to count on new revenues to pay for it, including a tax on skill games and legalized cannabis.  If those happen, Democrats said there would be no broad-based tax increase. Republicans will want to whittle down the cost.

Pennsylvania’s state budgets have largely been delayed in recent years, with some negotiations stretching into the fall.

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