Overview
- Sources told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Saturday that top lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro have agreed on a $50.8 billion budget framework that must still be put into bills and voted on by both chambers.
- Gov. Shapiro said he would remain at the Capitol through the weekend and expressed optimism that the deal would be finalized quickly.
- Negotiators have signaled that a roughly $500 million boost to close an education adequacy gap for historically underfunded districts is likely to be included in the final package.
- Key items remain unresolved, including how to handle the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that treats skill gaming machines as slot machines this fall and how leaders will close about a $1.2 billion revenue shortfall without new taxes.
- Senate committees advanced the capital budget and related measures on Friday evening, and legislative leaders scheduled votes over the weekend as lawmakers seek to avoid a repeat of last year’s prolonged impasse.