Governor Shapiro signs $47.6B new state budget

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — In news across the Commonwealth Governor Josh Shapiro has signed a new state budget into law saying it was a compromise by both sides of a divided legislature.

The main $47.6 budget passed last night.

It makes investments in higher education, and public safety, and includes a half billion dollars for economic development.

The biggest winner was K Through 12 public education with $11 billion in funding. That’s $1.3 billion more than last year.

Governor Shapiro spoke with 28/22 News on the state’s success in passing the new budget.

“I think what Pennsylvanians can be proud of is that we addressed the big challenges, that are on their minds, investing in education, public safety, and economic development, and understand we did it while also cutting taxes…I mean real quick on education, we’re increasing the Scranton school districts budget by 16 million dollars and making sure kids still get universal free breakfast, and making sure they’ve got access to mental health counselors and much much more,” explained Governor Josh Shapiro.

Funding for public schools was a top priority for the governor.

“I’m very proud of the work that he did on this. So overall, this is a good budget. It’s not a perfect budget. It’s not perfect for us. It’s not perfect for the Democrats. But it is the state of where we are in Pennsylvania. We have a split government,” said Senator Kim Ward (R) 39th District.

What wasn’t included in the new budget was taxing skills games, recreational marijuana, and hikes to the minimum wage.

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