Harrisburg, Pa., October 22, 2025\u00a0\u2014 This week, the Pennsylvania Senate advanced legislation, including a spending bill (Senate Bill 160), that protects taxpayers and fosters economic growth.<\/p>\n
The commonwealth remains the only state in the country without an operating budget or stop gap plan. Now weeks into a federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania\u2019s four-month-long impasse holds the state in a doubly precarious position.<\/p>\n
In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed an unserious $51.5 billion budget\u2014leading to a $7 billion deficit and forcing a massive tax hike on Pennsylvania families. Since then, Shapiro has remained notably absent from discussions while offering no substantial commentary on ongoing negotiations since the budget deadline (aside from colorful remarks<\/a> where he declared he\u2019s \u2018all-in,\u2019 supporting US Senate Democrats\u2019 continued filibuster to shut down the federal government).<\/p>\n The Pennsylvania Senate\u2019s spending proposal\u2014totaling $47.9 billion\u2014balances fiscal responsibility while protecting against future tax increases. Along with their spending plan, the Senate also advanced key pieces of legislation to protect the state\u2019s energy sector from RGGI participation and advance significant permitting reform to remove the burden of red tape across Pennsylvania industry.<\/p>\n SB 6, cosponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman and Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, would expand expedited permitting across state government while providing greater transparency for businesses. SB 1068 would require that Gov. Shapiro cease Pennsylvania\u2019s entry into RGGI\u2014a unilateral move by Gov. Tom Wolf ruled unconstitutional and subsequently appealed by Gov. Shapiro to the Pa. Supreme Court. Pennsylvania\u2019s participation in RGGI will result in an energy tax that would drive up electricity prices by an estimated 30%.<\/p>\n Both SB 6 and SB 1068 passed with bipartisan majorities.<\/p>\n Megan Martin, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of the Commonwealth Foundation,\u00a0issued the following statement:<\/p>\n \u201cWhen faced with a budget deficit, you need to grow the economy, not grow the government. The legislation passed by the Senate protects taxpayers, makes Pennsylvania more competitive, and will help unleash our energy potential.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite months of partisan theatrics and games by Gov. Shapiro and his party, the Republican-controlled Senate has acted to protect Pennsylvania taxpayers and advance the commonsense policies that will secure a bright future for our great commonwealth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time for Governor Shapiro and House Democrats to join the state Senate in finalizing a budget that spends responsibly, avoids a costly tax hike, and provides a secure future for Pennsylvania families and workers.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin Kane, Director of Legislative Strategy, added:<\/p>\n \u201cDespite Governor Shapiro\u2019s false narrative that Senate Republicans are unable to advance the budget process, this week they passed legislation that protects our emergency reserves, guards against out-of-control spending and tax hikes, and advances policies that will drive economic growth to the commonwealth.<\/p>\n