ROUNDUP: Governor Josh Shapiro Unveils Budget Proposal to Get Stuff Done for All Pennsylvanians

ROUNDUP: Governor Josh Shapiro Unveils Budget Proposal to Get Stuff Done for All Pennsylvanians

On Tuesday, Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his budget address, outlining his priorities for the coming year to bring down costs for Pennsylvanian families. In his address, Governor Shapiro committed to increasing funding for public education, expanding public transportation across the Commonwealth, and pushing for the legalization of recreational marijuana to boost state revenue.

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has worked with one of the only divided legislatures in the country to increase K-12 education funding, cut taxes for small business owners, support farmers, put more money back into people’s pockets, and invest in public safety. With this year’s budget address, Shapiro is working to make sure that Pennsylvania remains “on the rise” on his watch.

Read more about Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal and how he’s solving problems and getting stuff done in Pennsylvania: 

• Philadelphia Inquirer: “Amid an ongoing teacher shortage, Shapiro proposed to double the state’s new student-teacher stipend program, to make $40 million available to pay student teachers $10,000 during their required full-time placements.”

• Spotlight PA: “‘These are commonsense Pennsylvania priorities that I know we all share,’ Shapiro told state lawmakers gathered in the Capitol. ‘Some of us may have a different approach to these objectives, but we’ve got to work at it together.’”

• Scranton Times Tribune: ​​“‘The governor’s proposed budget provides critical support for Hazleton Area School District,’ Hazleton Area Superintendent Brian Uplinger said in an email. ‘The $26.4 million in Ready to Learn funding and the $12.3 million adequacy supplement will help us meet the growing needs of our district.’”

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “‘Pennsylvania is on the rise, and this budget is a clear roadmap for tackling our challenges and building on the bipartisan foundation we’ve created over the last two years,’ Mr. Shapiro said.”

• Newsweek: “Governor Josh Shapiro, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said in a budget address to the General Assembly on Tuesday: ‘We’re cutting costs for Pennsylvanians, but we need to do more. In Indiana County, over the last five years, rent has increased 26%. In Philadelphia County it’s increased by 30%. Two very different counties with the exact same problem that’s mostly been driven by a severe lack of new development across Pennsylvania.’”

• WFXP Erie: “ Some highlights of the governor’s address includes nearly 300 million to support public transit, efforts to build industrial sites and bring business into Pennsylvania, develop a competitive energy plan, plus he hopes to garner support for a tax on skill games and the legalization of marijuana, both creating renewable revenue streams for the commonwealth.”

• WFMZ Allentown: “Governor Josh Shapiro has laid out his spending plan for the coming year. His budget proposal includes money for child care workers, mass transit and the creation of a housing repair fund.”

• WICU Erie: “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says he wants more state tax money for what he calls the state’s underfunded public schools and public transit. Shapiro unveiled a 2025 budget proposal in Harrisburg on Tuesday. He called on the legislature to support legalizing recreational marijuana and introduce taxes on those so-called skill games that casinos here, Pennsylvania view as competition. Shapiro talked up his efforts to help Pennsylvania’s economy compete with other states.”

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