PA state budget impasse - missed payments
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Gov. Josh Shapiro proposes pro-public education FY 2026-27 state budget

On Feb. 3, 2026, Gov, Josh Shapiro addressed a joint session of the General Assembly to propose his FY 2026-27 state budget plan. The budget Gov. Shapiro proposed continues his commitment to historic public education funding increases. He also invited two PSEA members to attend the budget address, highlighting his commitment to increasing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage and funding the student teacher stipend program.

Gov. Shapiro’s proposed budget includes:

  • A $565 million increase for public schools, which is the third installment in the adequacy and tax equity payments needed to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system.
  • A $50 million increase in basic education funding for all public schools through the fair funding formula.
  • A $50 million increase in special education funding for all public schools.
  • $75 million in cyber charter tuition savings for public school districts, in addition to the $178 million in savings in the 2025-26 budget.
  • $35 million for the student teacher stipend program to pay student teachers for the work they do during their 12-week student teaching experience, a $5 million increase.
  • A $14 million increase for career and technical education, with $10 million of that increase directed to investments in STEM programs, computer science programs, and professional development.
  • Raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Minimum wage increase

Kirstie Stayduhar, a paraprofessional from Spring Cove School District, was invited to attend Gov. Shapiro’s budget address. She was there to support Gov. Shapiro’s support for increasing the state’s minimum wage to at least $15 an hour.

“When I speak with Gov. Shapiro, I’m going to thank him very much for having me here and thank him for proposing to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania,” Stayduhar said.

Press Center

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Shapiro calls on lawmakers to continue pushing millions of additional dollars to underfunded schools

Altoona Mirror – Local lawmakers’ reactions to Shapiro budget plan mixed

Spotlight PA – Shapiro pitches more support for child care workers and student teachers. Home aides feel left out.

WGAL News 8 – Governor signs $50.1 billion budget

Philadelphia Inquirer – Pa.’s public schools are getting $665 million in new money with the state budget deal

KDKA News – Pa.’s budget impasse beginning to impact schools across the commonwealth

WHYY – Pa.’s budget impasse is affecting schools. William Penn School District could run out of money within months

Pa. Capital-Star – Democrats propose compromise on cyber charter tuition amid Pa. budget impasse

Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County schools missing $93M since July because of PA budget impasse, union says

WESA-FM – Layoffs loom over Westmoreland County educators as state budget impasse delays funding

Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice – State-budget impasse starting to strain NEPA schools

Allentown Morning Call – More Lehigh Valley school districts vote to withhold charter funds to share the pain of the state budget impasse

PennLive – Union leaders warn that state budget impasse, federal shutdown could compound each other

Bucks County Beacon – Education groups highlight how Pa. budget stalemate shortchanges students’ education

CBS 21: Face the State with PSEA President Aaron Chapin

ABC 27: School districts feeling budget crunch as impasse approaches two-month mark

CBS 21: Prepared for back to school? CBS 21 brings experts together for town hall

WJAC News: School districts, left in limbo, are asking legislators to pass a budget

NBC 10 News: PSEA calls on state lawmakers to pass overdue budget, condemns voucher scholarships

Bucks County Beacon: PSEA urges lawmakers to pass a budget to fund Pa.’s public schools, not use students as ‘bargaining chips’ to divert money to private and religious schools

WVIA-FM – Districts consider loans, union leaders denounce vouchers, as state budget impasse continues

Spotlight PA – Shapiro’s office pitches $49.9B compromise budget in bid to end 2-month impasse

City & State PA – The City & State 2025 Who’s Who in Labor

Philadelphia Inquirer – Pa.’s biggest teacher union says students are not ‘bargaining chips’ as schools start without state funding

WITF – Teachers union slams Pa. Senate GOP over school funding delay

WGAL-TV – Pa. educators demand state budget passage; lawmakers respond to claims

USA Today Network — Pa. schools are waiting for millions in overdue state funds. What is your district owed?

WFMZ — Billions in state funding withheld from Pa. public schools; budget 8 weeks overdue

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