(WHTM) — Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the state budget quickly this week after 135 days of delay, but it wasn’t either side’s dream deal.
The $50.09 billion budget includes lots of nos. No new taxes, no touching of the rainy day fund, no skill games taxes, no new marijuana revenue and no new public transit funding.
“Everybody’s definition of perfect is different,” said Republican Minority Leader Rep. Jesse Topper. “But this moved Pennsylvanians forward.”
Pennsylvania won’t take in $50 billion, but officials said they found reserves and lapsed funds to make up the difference.
That allowed the state to create a new tax credit for the working poor and expand the income tax credits that fund scholarships for students in lower performing districts by $50 million.
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said throughout the negotiations, Democrats “stayed true to our principles and our priorities” on schools, safety and economic opportunity.
“We’ve got some unfinished business,” Shapiro added, singling out skill games and mass transit, which were central to the early budget debate. “But importantly, and without sort of revealing the confidences of our conversations around the negotiating table, I think we have, actually, a better understanding of where we are on those issues.”
Shapiro has a lot to think about going forward now that the budget is done. He has yet to announce his re-election campaign, which he is certain to do.
And he will need to balance his “Get Stuff Done” motto that seeks to unleash industry with the Democratic base’s anxiety over pollution and industrial expansion. Shapiro tackles that, as well as his relationship with Sen. John Fetterman (D) and Pennsylvania Republicans, in the latest episode of This Week in Pennsylvania in the video player above.
Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the week’s biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.
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