Pennsylvania Budget Impasse

Lawmakers in Harrisburg finally passed a state budget on Wednesday after an impasse that lasted more than four months.

The overdue state budget provides significant relief for Pennsylvania school districts — some of which feared they’d soon close their doors without state money.

Harrisburg lawmakers say leaders have agreed to a $50.1 billion dollar budget deal, though few details were publicly available Tuesday night. The state has gone more than 130 days without a budget.

While eight Democratic Senators broke rank with their party Sunday night to reach a deal with Republicans to end the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania has gone more than 130 days without a state budget. That's hitting school districts and charter schools in particular.

Bear Creek Community Charter School could run out of money for payroll or be forced to temporarily close if the state budget impasse reaches into the new year. While school districts statewide deplete fund reserves, secure loans or cancel activities in month five without a state budget, charter schools such as the one in Luzerne County face another financial obstacle.

October 16, 2025 - The state’s overdue budget is impacting area schools. Property taxes stay the same in a new budget proposal from Lackawanna County’s commissioners. And, schools see results from cell phone bans.

The 38-year-old man accused of firebombing the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in April has pleaded guilty.

The stalemate between the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate has kept billions of dollars from going to schools. They’ve missed out on $3.7 billion in expected state payments in July, August and September, according to the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

The state department that oversees elections says to blame Luzerne County for 31 voters getting two mail-in ballots for the upcoming election. And as the state budget impasse passes the 100-day mark, Pa. Gov. Shapiro lashes out at the state senate.

During a Lackawanna County appearance, Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, accused the Republican-controlled state Senate of failing to do its job to resolve a 100-day budget impasse that's forcing local governments to borrow money to pay bills.