Senate Republicans, Gov. Shapiro Work Out Budget Deal; Senate Democrats, House Democrats Not Onboard

On June 30, Senate Republicans and one Democrat passed a $45.5 billion state General Fund budget they said represented an agreement with Gov. Josh Shapiro and sent it to the House controlled by the Democrats [House Bill 611 (Harris-D-Philadelphia)].  

Then the Senate adjourned until September 18.

House Democrats opposed provisions in the agreement that included a $150 million increase to cover business tax credits for private school tuition for low-income students and new $100 million “Lifeline Scholarship” program to cover tuition, tutoring and educational expenses outside the public school system [House Bill 479 (Flick-R-Lycoming)].  Read more here.  Read more here.

The House then canceled voting session for July 1 and have not yet scheduled another voting day.

On June 29, Gov. Shapiro issued a statement saying, “Throughout budget negotiations, it’s been clear all parties want to reach a deal, and no one wants a protracted fight. We will continue to engage leadership in both chambers of the General Assembly until we reach an agreement.

“After a dozen years of total Republican control of the Legislature, Senate Republicans need to give more than they’re used to – and after a dozen years in the minority, House Democrats can’t expect to get everything they’ve wanted over the last decade in one budget.

“Pennsylvania has the only full-time, divided legislature in the country and as I said at the very beginning of this process, nothing gets done unless a majority in both chambers agree. We have a responsibility to come together, compromise, and pass a commonsense budget that addresses the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians.”

Budget Passed By Senate

The General Fund budget passed by the Senate has these major appropriations--

Agriculture

-- Overall: 6.4% increase to $240.9 million

-- Increases for Animal Health/Diagnostics, Food Security, Hardwoods Promotion

DCNR

-- Overall: 0.1% increase to $152.1 million

-- $148,000 increase for Heritage Parks

DEP (referred to as “Environmental Services”)

-- Overall: 10.9% increase to $202.9 million

-- Increases for line items for personnel costs: General Operations, Environmental Program Management & Operations

-- Increases for Black Fly Control, West Nile Virus & Other Mosquito-borne viruses

Click Here for the General Fund budget spreadsheet.

NewsClips:

-- AP: PA To Begin New Fiscal Year Without Budget Plan In Place

-- The Center Square: PA Senate OKs $45.5 Billion State Budget Without House Agreement; Adjourns To Sept. 18

-- Spotlight PA: Legislature At Budget Impasse As House Democrats Vow To Oppose $100 Million For Private School Vouchers

-- The Center Square: $100 Million School Choice Program Woven Into Key State Budget Bill

-- Gov. Shapiro Statement On Ongoing State Budget Negotiations

Related Articles - Budget:

-- Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Proposes Major Initiative To Speed Up DEP Permit Reviews/ Inspections; Double Oil & Gas Fund Investment In State Parks/Forests Infrastructure  [PaEN]

-- DEP Budget Testimony: Increasing Permitting Efficiency, Cleaning Up Legacy Pollution, Investing In Communities, Holding Companies Accountable  [PaEN]

-- DEP Offers 10 Point Plan To Improve Permit Reviews; Climate/Energy Work Group Co-Chairs Announced; Work Group Formed To Prevent New Oil & Gas Well Abandonments  [PaEN]

-- DEP Acting Secretary Wants To Encourage A Culture Of Being User-Friendly At DEP And Used The Train Derailment Response As An Example  [PaEN]

-- DEP Acting Secretary Negrin: All Climate Change Is Local - We Are Guardians Of Our Neighborhoods, We Are To Act In Service To Our Neighbors  [PaEN]

-- House Budget Hearing: Acting DEP Secretary Outlines His Views On Environmental Justice, Announces Fernando Treviño As Special Deputy For Environmental Justice  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 3, 2023]  PA Environment Digest