After last year\u2019s budget impasse stretched more than 130 days behind schedule, Pennsylvania lawmakers are hopeful they can avoid a similar delay this year. Gov. Josh Shapiro presented lawmakers with a $53.3 billion spending plan in February and negotiations are ongoing as state officials eye the commonwealth\u2019s June 30 budget deadline.<\/p>\n
City & State has put together a budget tracker for the 2026-27 fiscal year, offering an up-to-date look at the state budget’s progress through the legislative process.\u00a0<\/p>\n
June 22, 2026: Senate GOP leaders \u2018encouraged\u2019 by budget talks, call for fiscal responsibility<\/p>\n
Acknowledging the difficulties of divided government in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Senate Republican leaders said on June 22 that they are \u201cencouraged\u201d by ongoing budget negotiations and called for a fiscally responsible end product.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile divided government naturally brings differing perspectives and objectives, it also creates an opportunity to find common ground and put the needs of Pennsylvanians first,\u201d Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin said in a joint statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Senate Republican Caucus priorities for this year continue to be that the final budget plan must be fiscally responsible, respect taxpayers, and position the Commonwealth for sustained growth,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cWe are encouraged by the progress made to date and believe a budget agreement can come to fruition in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n
June 12, 2026: Shapiro signs 9 appropriations bills into law<\/p>\n
To date, Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed nine appropriations bills into law, funding government offices, entities and programs like the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the state\u2019s two largest pension systems, the Public Utility Commission and the state\u2019s Workers Compensation system, among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After signing the appropriations bills into law on June 12, Shapiro said that by signing the appropriations bills, the state is \u201censuring we continue to process licenses and certificates quickly, support our retirees, and fund the agencies who serve hardworking Pennsylvanians.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shapiro noted that negotiations on a final, negotiated state budget continue. \u201cThis is the first step toward a final budget, and we will continue to have productive conversations with the House and Senate to deliver for the Commonwealth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
May 6, 2026: PA Rep. Jordan Harris pressures PA Senate to act on budget legislation<\/p>\n
Speaking during a House Appropriations Committee meeting on Wednesday, House Appropriations Committee Majority Chair Jordan Harris put pressure on the Republican-controlled state Senate to act on budget legislation, arguing that Pennsylvania can\u2019t afford another late state budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Harris said it has been 22 days since the House passed legislation mirroring Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s February budget pitch, and cautioned that a late state budget could jeopardize funding for school districts and nonprofits.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot afford what we had last year, where our budget was more than 135 days late,\u201d Harris said. \u201cThe State Senate does not have to agree with what we sent them, but they have to do something. If they don\u2019t agree with what we sent, that\u2019s fine. They could send us their own proposal. Our main focus remains clear: delivering a responsible, balanced and on time budget that invests in Pennsylvania\u2019s education, supports our law enforcement, strengthens Pennsylvania\u2019s economy and returns money back into the pockets of our working families.\u201d<\/p>\n
April 14, 2026: House lawmakers pass budget bill<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, April 14, House lawmakers passed a General Appropriations bill with bipartisan support, advancing the bill to the Senate in a move that could make it easier to advance a negotiated state budget once Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s administration and lawmakers agree on a final product closer to the state\u2019s June 30 budget deadline. The legislation, House Bill 2400, was advanced by the state House with a 107-94 vote<\/a> on April 14, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledging that the bill\u2019s passage is a first step in an ongoing budget process.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s passage of the proposed state budget is an important step in moving the General Appropriations bill process forward and keeping us on track to deliver an on-time budget for the people of Pennsylvania,\u201d House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris said in a statement, noting that negotiations on the budget are ongoing. \u201cThis bill passed the House with bipartisan support, reflecting a shared commitment to moving this budget forward and getting a budget done on time.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the House vote, Senate Republican leaders said they continue to have concerns about the level of spending in Shapiro\u2019s proposal. \u201cWe continue to have profound concerns about the level of spending in the budget proposed by Governor Shapiro and passed by the House today,\u201d Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin said in a joint statement.<\/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 the trio added. \u201cWe will continue to fight for a more fiscally responsible spending plan that better positions our Commonwealth to grow and prosper, without placing unreasonable financial burdens on Pennsylvania families and taxpayers.\u201d<\/p>\n Feb. 3, 2026: Shapiro presents $53.3B budget proposal<\/p>\n