The Pennsylvania House yesterday approved a $46.4 billion dollar general fund budget. The bill now faces a Republican-led majority in the Senate.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House yesterday approved a $46.4 billion dollar general fund budget. It’s an additional increase from the original $45 billion outlined by Governor Josh Shapiro.
The budget proposal passed on a straight party-line vote following a 40-minute debate.
“On the final passage of this vote, the yays are 102; the nays are 101,” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton (D-Delaware) proclaimed.
The major area where Democrats increased spending is Kindergarten through 12th grade education, including more than $375 million for basic and special education in the state. It would also restart the Level Up program that increases funding for the state’s 100 poorest school districts.
Republicans from across the aisle are calling the plan unsustainable.
“Six billion dollars in new spending requires a 32.5% increase in the personal income tax,” Seth Grove (R-York), minority appropriations chair, …