HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 Just shy of two weeks after the deadline, Pennsylvania has a new state budget.<\/p>\n
The $50.8 billion operating budget was approved Sunday.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called the budget a compromise.<\/p>\n
“As Pennsylvania has a divided government, it requires compromise from both sides for passage,” Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr. (R-Cambria\/Centre\/Clearfield) said. “This budget does not raise taxes, preserves the rainy day fund, and is significantly less than what the governor proposed in February.”<\/p>\n
The budget is a 3.7% increase from last year’s, but down from the $53.3 billion spending plan Governor Josh Shapiro (D) initially sought.<\/p>\n
“This budget reins in overspending and protects taxpayers while meeting essential needs and making critical investments,” Senator Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland\/Perry\/Dauphin) said.<\/p>\n
“The General Assembly and Governor Shapiro came together and passed a balanced, bold, and bipartisan budget that puts students and communities first,” Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) said. “This budget continues our constitutional obligation to ensure schools are fairly funded and that all students, regardless of where they live, have the opportunity to succeed.”<\/p>\n
Lancaster County Senator James Malone (D) lauded increases in funding for education and first responders, including an additional $58 million in Basic Education funding, $50 million in Special Education funding, and funding for violence intervention and prevention programs.<\/p>\n
“This year’s budget takes another historic step towards fairly funding our public schools to make sure every child in Lancaster has a bright future,” Malone said. “It also delivers $1 billion in property tax relief for homeowners.”<\/p>\n
Senate Republican leaders called it a “fiscally responsible” budget “that stands up for taxpayers.”<\/p>\n
“The 2026-27 state budget is an imperfectly good plan that will keep Pennsylvania on a promising path for the future,” said Senator Joe Pittman (R-Indiana).<\/p>\n
Get the latest Pennsylvania politics and election news with abc27 newsletters<\/a>!<\/p>\n The budget, Republican leaders said, provides greater efficiency and oversight of PennDOT operations, including requiring PennDOT to use $775 Million from the Motor License Fund to support highway projects.<\/p>\n This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n