After 134 days, Pennsylvania finally has a budget.
The budget impasse has come to end after Governor Josh Shapiro signed the budget just before 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The $50.1 billion budget agreement saw compromises from increased spending to the ending of Pennsylvania’s bid to join the RGGI program.
The budget also does not touch the $7.5 billion rainy day fund, includes reforms to the state permitting process, and sees an increase in education spending. There are no increases to transit spending as well.
The budget would also reduce reimbursements to cyber charter schools and see $500 million spent on the poorest schools in the commonwealth.
The budget passed through the legislature with bipartisan support in the house and senate.
Republican State Representative Marci Mustello of Butler voted in favor of the bill.
““This budget was 135 days late and still doesn’t go far enough to rein in government spending, which concerns me. However, it represents a reasonable compromise given the challenges of the
current budget process in Harrisburg. Additionally, it includes several important ‘wins’ that will benefit the people and communities I represent, while helping restore state government to its full
and proper function,” Mustello said in a statement.
Republican State Representative Aaron Bernstine, who represents some western municipalities in the county voted no.
““While this plan includes several positive elements, I could not support a budget that spends $6 billion more in recurring spending than we have in recurring revenue. That kind of imbalance will ultimately force future tax increases on Pennsylvania families, and I cannot support a budget that places that burden on hardworking taxpayers,” Bernstine said in a statement.
Other Butler County state representatives Stephenie Scialabba and Tim Bonner both voted against the bill as well.
