Pennsylvania Senate Approves Budget, Awaiting House Response

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WTHM) — The Pennsylvania Senate approved a budget of about $45 billion on Friday, June 30. But would the House of Representatives agree to that?

The Senate budget approves funds for things like public defense and school aid.

“We have worked diligently and thoughtfully with the governor over the past month to ensure we get a budget that is beneficial to the state of Pennsylvania as a whole. There are ranks, and we compromised, we have a divided government and no one can get everything they want, but we probably give more than we want to give. I’m going to,” Senate Interim Speaker Kim Ward said.

House Democrats are opposed to vouchers and will not be in the Capitol as of 6 p.m. Friday, so it will be difficult to reach a deal by tonight’s deadline.

It’s not the first time Shapiro hasn’t received the budget he planned in his first year in office. Shapiro also said there is more work to be done because the budget is not official until the Senate, House and governor all agree.

The House will open at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 1.