Pennsylvania lawmakers approved a $50.8 billion state budget that drew praise from both Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative leaders from both parties, but left unresolved the contentious issue of whether to legalize and regulate skill game machines.Shapiro and fellow Democrats applauded the spending plan for increasing funding to historically underfunded public schools. Republicans also praised the agreement, pointing to limits on overall spending and the decision not to tap the state’s Rainy Day Fund to balance the budget.Among the issues left out of the budget deal was legislation addressing skill games, electronic machines commonly found in bars, restaurants, veterans organizations and convenience stores.Lisa Iskric, manager of Steelton American Legion Post 420, said revenue from the machines has become essential to the post’s operations and charitable mission.”I’m concerned for our payroll, our bills, utilities, general upkeep,” Iskric said. “This has not just become part of our income. It’s part of our budget. We don’t have this money.”Lawmakers delayed action despite a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that determined the machines are slot machines under state law, setting the stage for enforcement unless lawmakers act.Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, said the machines are illegal under the court’s ruling and will have to be removed.”These machines are illegal and in less than 120 days they will be leaving,” Pittman said, in regards to the ruling from the state Supreme Court, if lawmakers do not act.Shapiro said the Pennsylvania State Police are prepared to enforce the law when the deadline arrives.”Pennsylvania State Police is ready to enforce the law when that deadline hits on Oct. 13,” Shapiro said.A major sticking point in negotiations remains how much to tax the machines if they are legalized and which state agency should regulate them.Iskric argued that taxing skill games at the same rate as casino slot machines would be financially devastating for organizations like hers.”To tax us in the same bracket as the casino, it’s unheard of,” she said. “It’ll cripple a lot of us.”The debate over skill games has lingered in the Capitol for years without a legislative resolution. With lawmakers not scheduled to return to Harrisburg until September, any agreement would likely come just weeks before the October enforcement deadline.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Pennsylvania lawmakers approved a $50.8 billion state budget that drew praise from both Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative leaders from both parties, but left unresolved the contentious issue of whether to legalize and regulate skill game machines.

Shapiro and fellow Democrats applauded the spending plan for increasing funding to historically underfunded public schools. Republicans also praised the agreement, pointing to limits on overall spending and the decision not to tap the state’s Rainy Day Fund to balance the budget.

Among the issues left out of the budget deal was legislation addressing skill games, electronic machines commonly found in bars, restaurants, veterans organizations and convenience stores.

Lisa Iskric, manager of Steelton American Legion Post 420, said revenue from the machines has become essential to the post’s operations and charitable mission.

“I’m concerned for our payroll, our bills, utilities, general upkeep,” Iskric said. “This has not just become part of our income. It’s part of our budget. We don’t have this money.”

Lawmakers delayed action despite a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that determined the machines are slot machines under state law, setting the stage for enforcement unless lawmakers act.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, said the machines are illegal under the court’s ruling and will have to be removed.

“These machines are illegal and in less than 120 days they will be leaving,” Pittman said, in regards to the ruling from the state Supreme Court, if lawmakers do not act.

Shapiro said the Pennsylvania State Police are prepared to enforce the law when the deadline arrives.

“Pennsylvania State Police is ready to enforce the law when that deadline hits on Oct. 13,” Shapiro said.

A major sticking point in negotiations remains how much to tax the machines if they are legalized and which state agency should regulate them.

Iskric argued that taxing skill games at the same rate as casino slot machines would be financially devastating for organizations like hers.

“To tax us in the same bracket as the casino, it’s unheard of,” she said. “It’ll cripple a lot of us.”

The debate over skill games has lingered in the Capitol for years without a legislative resolution. With lawmakers not scheduled to return to Harrisburg until September, any agreement would likely come just weeks before the October enforcement deadline.