Commonwealth Foundation Statement On Senate-Shapiro Budget Progress

Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following reaction today on Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward’s statement that the Senate continues to work with Gov. Josh Shapiro to finalize a state budget before the new school year:

“We hope the Senate’s continued negotiations with Gov. Shapiro are successful toward restoring the spirit of bipartisanship and compromise that was achieved before House leadership undermined the Governor’s original agreement, leaving the state operating without a budget for nearly a month now.

“With the Senate committing to finalize the General Appropriations bill before the school year, the House must follow suit and return to work and finish the fiscal code. Pennsylvanians expect their full-time elected officials to show up and do their jobs. Joanna McClinton and Matt Bradford should call the House back from summer vacation and end the dysfunction in their chamber that has crippled Harrisburg from getting to work these past seven months. 

“We urge Gov. Shapiro to end the impasse and follow through on his original commitment to sign the bipartisan budget that was passed by Republicans and Democrats, including his campaign promise to fund Lifeline/P.A.S.S. Scholarships.”

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