According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania legislators are among the highest paid in the country. The average pay for a state lawmaker nationally is $47,904, but that includes part-time legislatures.
In Pennsylvania, districts burdened by adequacy funding gaps, poverty isn't an abstract concept—it’s the daily reality for 70% of enrolled students. In July 2024, the Pennsylvania General Assembly delivered a landmark, bipartisan solution by codifying a new methodology for calculating the state's obligation to underfunded districts and integrating it into the 2024-25 state budget. In my home district, that alarming figure swelled to 77%.
Lawmakers made a series of moves to advance a reported $50.1 billion spending, but few details have emerged.
The office started the $500 million Budget Bridge Loan Program in September to support county governments and Head Start local agencies, which provide education, health and social services to families with children aged 3 to 5.
Pennsylvania could join a growing number of states that have prohibited publicly-funded institutions from enacting bans on books and other material, if state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti has her way.
Unemployment recipients eligible for benefits under the legislation would have to provide a recent protective order or other reasonable evidence.
The $47.9 billion proposal passed with a party-line vote on the 113th day of the impasse.
In the first public action in nearly two months amidst the state budget impasse, lawmakers in the Democratic-led House approved a $50.25 billion spending proposal and sent it to the Senate for consideration.
With no end in sight to the ongoing budget stalemate, county workers and contractors who rely on state funding have begun receiving furlough notices. As Pennsylvania enters its third month without a budget, county and contract workers in county offices around the...
Pennsylvania's counties, school districts and social service agencies are warning of mounting layoffs, borrowing costs and damage to the state’s safety net as the politically divided state government enters its fourth month of a budget stalemate.
