HARRISBURG — Lawmakers have finalized Pennsylvania’s new $47.6 billion budget — and no one is completely happy.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro didn’t get recreational marijuana or a tax on skill games; legislative Democrats didn’t get a minimum wage increase; and legislative Republicans didn’t get tax cuts.
Still, plenty made it into the final plan. It increases K-12 education spending, sends $500 million to the state’s poorest schools, funnels new dollars into economic development, and creates a new college scholarship program.
For more insight on the spending plan, Spotlight PA’s Capitol reporter Stephen Caruso is hosting a live panel.
Spotlight PA held a free panel discussion on the major components of the budget, the politics that shaped the deal, and what was left on the cutting room floor.
Our panelists were:
Stephen Caruso, Capitol reporter, Spotlight PA
Kristina Moon, senior attorney, Education Law Center
Mustafa Rashed, president & CEO, Bellevue Strategies
Stan Saylor, former House GOP appropriations chair
» Spotlight PA’s events operate on a “pay-what-you-can” honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.
