HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Gov. Josh Shapiro’s second budget proposes significant increases to education and economic development and would regulate adult use marijuana, while leaning heavily on Pennsylvania’s flush reserves to underwrite his vision.
The Democrat on Tuesday unveiled his budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins on July 1, in front of a joint session of the House and Senate in the ornate Capitol Rotunda.
Referring to his inaugural spending plan as a “down payment” on his vision for Pennsylvania, Shapiro called on lawmakers to enact his projected $48.3 billion budget to inject more cash into underfunded public schools and attract major industrial and high-tech projects to invigorate a slow-growing economy.
“I know that’s a bold vision, and some will reflexively be opposed, saying, ‘We can’t afford that,'” Shapiro said. “But I would argue we can’t afford not to invest right now.”
He said it taps into his “competitive spirit,” and acknowledged …