Blue Pennsylvania: Getting the State Senate to Budge on the Budget

The state senate’s leadership was critical of Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2026/27 budget in February.  Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman’s (R-SD-4) response was that “Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal spends too much money without protecting Pennsylvania’s future fiscal stability…,” while Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin (R SD-13) asserted that “We can and MUST do better,” and President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-SD-39) wrote that “Senate Republicans will be fiscally responsible on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania as our families, our economy and our future depend on it.”

Those leaders doubled down on their remarks in April after a bi-partisan State House approved the governor’s proposals.  A joint statement from the leaders began, “We continue to have profound concerns about the level of spending in the budget proposed by Governor Shapiro and passed by the House today.”

For Republicans, “concerns” is to “state budget” as “thoughts and prayers” is to “gun violence”.  Republicans mention these terms in lieu of performing any positive action on the issues.  During the past month the PA senate was in session for six days.  They adjourned this week and are scheduled to return on June 1.  During the time that they were in session they showed no movement on the budget. 

But readers will be happy to know that the senate passed SB 822 during that time, which allows individuals and organizations to sue municipalities that pass local gun control ordinances.  (All four senators whose districts are in our sight to flip: Rosemary Brown (R-40), Jarett Coleman (R-16), Frank Farry (R-6), and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24); all voted for the legislation.)

Last year’s budget impasse had a profound effect on school districts and non-profits across the state.  As of October of 2025, a survey of 200 members of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations found that organizations had cut or laid off more than 1,700 employees statewide, and the interest payments on loans these organizations took out to keep their doors open was expected to cost close to $2 million. 

School districts also took out expensive loans to cover expenses during last year’s budget impasse.  In Philadelphia, the state’s largest district, the school board authorized the district to borrow $1.55 billion last September.

While such delays may be political suicide for Republican senators who are up for re-election this year, their strategy in postponing the budget might allow State Treasurer Stacy Garrity to issue low interest loans to local governments and some nonprofits, as she had done in 2025, thereby boosting her profile in her gubernatorial bid against Josh Shapiro.  If so, that is just sick, since they are putting people’s jobs on the line, and preventing school districts from educating our children.

So, what can you do?  You can contact your state senator and ask that they work with the State House to pass a budget in June, that would include the funding for the education and social service programs that were originally in Governor Shapiro’s proposals.  You can find their contact information here.  And please share this information with people who live in other senatorial districts across the state. 

More on what you can do about the budget in upcoming emails.

In the meantime, here’s how you can help move future budgets and other legislation along in other ways.  Below are the people whom we are supporting in November.  Please sign up for their campaigns if you can spare the time.

PA House

HD-142 - Kristin Egan – Bucks County

Education “Our current funding model is unconstitutional and puts an unfair burden on local taxpayers. I’m running to fix the system so that cyber charter schools stop siphoning away our hard-earned tax dollars and every student in District 142 has a safe, modern place to learn.”

Cost of Living “Our seniors, who have given so much to this district, deserve to retire with dignity and not be taxed out of their homes.”

Living Wage “A living wage isn't just a 'cost'; it’s an investment in our local economy.”

Learn more about Kristin at https://www.kristineganforpa.com/

HD-137 - Jeff Warren – Northampton County

·       Lower the Cost of Living: We must hold price gouging corporations accountable, from the cost of essentials from groceries to housing to health care.

·       Fairly Fund Our Local Schools: We must give our kids better opportunities and lower the property tax burden on homeowners.

·       Even the Playing Field: We must ensure big corporations pay their fair share in taxes.

·       Housing Attainability: We must implement new policies that will make housing more attainable for all members of our community.

·       Boost Funding for Public Safety & First Responders: We must ensure our police, fire departments, and EMS have the tools they need.

·       Increase Mental Health Funding: We must provide enhanced mental health resources for schools and members of our community.

·       Preserving Open Space and Farmland: We must continue working with our local communities to ensure we preserve as much farmland and open space as possible into the future.

Learn more about Jeff at https://www.jeffwarrenforpa.com/

HD-160 – Elizabeth Moro – Chester and Delaware Counties

Education “she’s committed to ensuring fair education funding so that every child receives access to the resources of a great education, no matter their zip code. She will also work to ensure higher education is affordable and expand job training and skilled trades programs so that the next generation has the tools they need to build a stronger Pennsylvania.”

Health Care “Elizabeth understands the connection between mental and physical health and will work to reduce the price of prescription drugs, make sure our hospitals are properly staffed and funded, and that those who provide healthcare receive the support that they need.”

Housing “Elizabeth will work to increase housing supply, protect renters, and support tax policies that help reduce housing costs while supporting sensible development.”

Local Economy “Elizabeth will fight to lower costs, increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, and bring good, family-sustaining jobs in the skilled trades back to our community.”

Learn more about Elizabeth at https://elizabethmoro.com/

PA Senate

SD-6 - Eileen Harnett Albillar – Bucks County

“She’ll go to Harrisburg and fight to lower our costs, grow our local economy so we have good paying jobs that can support a family, and fully fund our public schools.”

Learn more about Eileen at https://www.eileenforpa.com/

SD-24 - Chris Thomas – Berks and Montgomery Counties

“Now, he’s running for Pennsylvania State Senate in District 24 to take on the cost-of-living crisis and stand up for working families. He believes no one should have to choose between groceries and prescriptions, heat and rent, or child care and keeping the lights on.  Chris is running to fully and fairly fund public schools, lower everyday costs, and make healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone — because the government should work for the people, not the powerful.”

Learn more about Chris at https://www.christhomas.vote/

SD-40 - Brian Wrightson  - Lackawanna, Monroe, and Wayne Counties

“Affordability, healthcare access, transportation, utilities, housing, clean energy, and broadband — are all connected. When one part fails, the whole community feels it. His approach is practical and rooted in listening.” 

Learn more about Brian at https://wrightsonforsenate.net/

What Else Can You Do?

There are other ways to assure that your vote counts at the ballot box.  On the Blue Pennsylvania page, please check out our joint venture with March on Harrisburg to support HB 123 - the bill that would bring rank choice voting in Pennsylvania.  Rank Choice Voting assures that those candidates who have values most in line with your own have a better chance of winning an election.  As you already know, rank choice voting helped Zohran Mamdani to ultimately win New York City's mayoral race.  If you follow the links, you will be able to write to your state representative to demand hearings on the bill.

Thanks,

Coleman