PENNSYLVANIA (WFMZ-TV) — Governor Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion budget into law Sunday.
The largest part– $11.8 billion funding education. It also funds four more State Police classes. The budget comes with an additional $10 million for career and technical education.
“If you go back and look at the goals we all set together way back in 2023– funding our schools, making our communities safer, growing our economy, and four years later this budget reflects those continued priorities,” said Governor Shapiro.
Republican State Senator Jarrett Coleman said he voted against the budget.
“The issue with the budget is that this wasn’t a really honest budget. This was pretty deceptive,” said Senator Coleman.
One thing in particular he said he is against– delays in $2.6 billion in Medicaid payments to managed care providers to the next fiscal year.
“So, that’s disappointing and I don’t really care to play that game. I think Pennsylvanians deserve to have an honest conversation and make no mistake; tax payers will ultimately pay the price for this charade,” said Senator Coleman.
Democratic State Rep. Mike Schlossberg said he is happy with this budget.
“I think by and large it was an extremely solid product,” said Representative Schlossberg.
This marks the fifth year in a row the budget was not passed by the June 30th deadline. The signing of this one comes months ahead of when last year’s budget was approved.
“I think some lessons were learned. I think everybody realized we cannot do last year, we cannot do again what we did last year and also candidly election coming up in a few months, nobody wants to leave it hanging out there,” said Representative Schlossberg.