Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives attend a session at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, June 29, 2023. “I think you’re going to see the Senate over the next few weeks advance elements of the remaining pieces of a budget that need to be addressed,” said Majority Leader Senator Joe Pittman. “But, do it in a way where we think we agree across the aisle, not only in the Senate but in the House and with the governor.
Education has been a major hurdle for the General Assembly, specifically the $100 million private school voucher program spearheaded by Republicans. Republicans came to a bipartisan agreement with Governor Shapiro over the program earlier this year. It was vetoed when the rest of the budget was signed in August.
By walking away from his promise to support the Republican effort, Gov. Shapiro was able to get House Democrats on board with most of the budget, it solidified most of the $45 billion spending plan for 2023-2024. It also allowed millions of dollars to begin flowing to counties and school districts just weeks before the start of the new school year.