The Pennsylvania Budget is finally passed and signed into law, and legislators from the Lehigh Valley say it’s about time.

“For me, it’s such a relief,” said State Sen. Lisa Boscola.

“Glad it’s over,” said State Sen. Jarrett Coleman.

And Gov. Josh Shapiro said the whole process ended with a fiscally responsible bill.

Legislators approve overdue 2025-26 Pennsylvania budget after 135-day battle

“This is a balanced budget that cuts taxes, that makes critical investments, that protects 100% of Pennsylvania’s rainy day fund, and still leaves us with $8 billion dollars in reserves,” said Shapiro.

This year’s budget is roughly a 2.5 billion dollar increase from last year, and includes more than 1 billion in new education funding while lowering the corporate net income tax. 

Boscola agreed the budget is good for Pennsylvania’s future.

“It didn’t increase taxes, and it didn’t increase that budget so much this year that we couldn’t afford it down the road,” said Boscola.

But Coleman disagreed. He voted “no” on the budget bill because he believes it’s spending more money than the state can afford.

“Based on data that was provided to us yesterday, the state savings account will be decimated to zero within two years,” said Coleman.

The budget is roughly a $2.5 billion increase over last year, from $47.5 billion to about $50 billion. It includes more than $1 billion in new education funding, and it lowers the corporate net income tax by several percentage points. The budget also does not include a carbon tax on fossil fuel power plants, something Democrats were forced to compromise on. While both Lehigh Valley Senators are glad the fight is over, they also fear next year is going to be even worse.

“Everybody predicts it’s going to be late again, unfortunately, and it’s because of the politics of it all,” said Boscola.

“If folks thought this year’s budget process was tough, I would imagine next year’s will be a bloodbath,” said Coleman.

In total, 9 state senators and 47 members of the state house opposed the budget bill. The budget process for next year begins in about two months.