The State House of Representatives passed an unedited version of Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget and it is now on its way to the senate.
Shapiro’s spending plan includes a 5.4% funding increase over last year’s plan through taxes on legalized recreational marijuana along with money from electronic skill games, which have been included in previous budgets. Republicans have been critical of Shapiro’s plan, which includes using money from the state’s $7.5 billion rainy day fund to bring the budget into balance.
Both State Representatives Jim Struzzi and Brian Smith voted against the budget. The vote was 107-94 with just a few Republicans joining Democrats in approving the spending plan. The bill may have a tougher time to get approval in the Senate, which has a Republican majority. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman joined President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin in a joint statement saying that while moving the budget plan forward is important, “much work remains to reach a final agreement which respects taxpayers both now and in the future.” The three also stated that Senate Republicans “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.”
The budget is due June 30th. Last year, an impasse between the State House and Senate delayed final passage by 135 days, leaving counties, school districts and nonprofit agencies without funding.
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