Pennsylvania governor anticipates a deal 'very soon' as lawmakers blow through the budget deadline
Without the Democratic governor's signature on a new spending plan, the state loses some of its spending authority starting Tuesday, particularly on discretionary payments, such as those to vendors, counties, public schools and grant applicants.
The impact of such missed payments generally takes until August to be felt by schools and counties.
The biggest issues swirling around budget talks are absorbing a massive increase in Medicaid costs and a push to regulate and tax tens of thousands of slot machine-like 'skill' games that are popping up everywhere.
Shapiro said at a news conference Monday that talks between top lawmakers went through the weekend and that he anticipates negotiators will agree on a plan 'very soon.'
Shapiro proposed a $51.5 billion plan for the 2025-2026 fiscal year beginning July 1. It would increase total authorized spending by 9% for state operations, or by about $3.8 billion, including a $230 million request for the current year's spending.
In a budget stalemate, the state is still legally bound to make debt payments, cover Medicaid costs for millions of Pennsylvanians, issue unemployment compensation payments, keep prisons open and ensure state police are on patrol.
All state employees under a governor's jurisdiction are typically expected to report to work and be paid as scheduled during a budget stalemate.
Under the state constitution, the budget must be balanced. For Shapiro, it will be his third straight budget that failed to get across the finish line by the legal deadline of July 1.
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