HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed its budget proposal on Wednesday, and while it is a budget, it likely won\u2019t be the budget.<\/p>\n
The $53.3 billion budget plan<\/a> 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\u2019s a $2.7 billion increase from last year, making it the most expensive in state history.<\/p>\n Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n Leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate said they \u201chave profound concerns\u201d about the bill.<\/p>\n \u201cMoving 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,\u201d Republican Senate leadership said in a joint statement.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s budget impasse stretched beyond 130 days, with lawmakers coming to an agreement<\/a> after the November election.<\/p>\n 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, \u201cThe ball is now in the State Senate\u2019s court. It\u2019s time to get to work to deliver for Pennsylvanians.\u201d<\/p>\n Pennsylvania lawmaker introduces bill to stop gas price gouging <\/a><\/p>\n House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) first proposed the budget plan in March. It mirrors demands laid out in Shapiro\u2019s budget address<\/a>.<\/p>\n The governor would need to count on new revenues to pay for it, including a tax on skill games and legalized cannabis. \u00a0If those happen, Democrats said there would be no broad-based tax increase. Republicans will want to whittle down the cost.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s state budgets have largely been delayed in recent years, with some negotiations stretching into the fall.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n