Governor Josh Shapiro presented his 2025-26 budget to the state General Assembly Tuesday afternoon, and he pledged to continue building on the last two years of progress.
Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget comes out to $51.4 billion, and he emphasized boosts education funding, adding $75 million for basic education, $526 million for high-need schools, and $40 million for special education. It also reforms cyber charter tuition to save districts $378 million annually. Additional investments include $5.5 million for career and technical education and $40 million in student teacher stipends to address the teacher shortage.
The Governor said Pennsylvania’s schools are starting to benefit from the pinpoint focus on educational spending.
Shapiro also said $12.5 million will go towards funding the Workforce and Economic Development Network appropriation, leveraging $10 million in existing funds and $2.5 million in new monies to train additional workers. Along with that. Shapiro included $2 million for the creation of the Career Connect Program, which builds internships at state-based companies; $6 million to help adults obtain their GED; and $5 million in assisting residents with disabilities in finding jobs through personalized services.
Shapiro also touched on other areas that the budget focuses on, including regulating games of Skill in Pennsylvania, legalizing recreational marijuana use, and building on the state’s legacy as “a National Leader in Agriculture.”
Comments