Overview
- The House approved the plan 105-98 with three Republicans joining Democrats, targeting roughly a 5% increase focused on K-12 education and Medicaid.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro said he would sign the bill and urged the Senate to act, calling the House plan a compromise that avoids broad tax hikes and protects reserves.
- Senate leaders remain committed to a $47.6 billion flat-spending plan and advanced interest forgiveness for programs using a new $500 million treasurer loan fund; the Senate plans to reconvene Oct. 20.
- Service disruptions are widening as schools take out loans, counties freeze spending or furlough staff, and Philadelphia’s only rape-crisis center lays off workers; Dauphin County reports about $300,000 in lost interest on tapped reserves.
- Pennsylvania is the only state without any approved budget, negotiations continue behind closed doors, and the House is next scheduled to return Oct. 27.