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HARRISBURG, PA (April 14, 2026) — Pennsylvania State Education Association President Aaron Chapin commended the state House of Representatives for voting today to adopt Gov. Josh Shapiro’s FY 2026-27 budget in House Bill 2400. The budget bill includes an overall increase of nearly $700 million in key funding for public schools.
“The state budget adopted today reflects a remarkable commitment to K-12 public education in Pennsylvania,” Chapin said. “It invests in our public schools and removes barriers. This will help our students reach their full potential.
“We thank the House for getting the budget process started early after last year’s protracted budget impasse impacting our public schools, pre-K providers, students, and communities across the state. With today’s vote, House lawmakers are showing that they, like Gov. Shapiro, want to get a budget passed in a timely manner this year.
“The investments in this budget are critical as federal politicians and officials work to undermine and defund our public schools. By contrast, in Pennsylvania, our pro-public education leaders are choosing a path that reflects PSEA members’ values of equitable resources and opportunities for all students.
“We have seen what our public schools have been able to achieve over the past two years with targeted adequacy funding. More schools are reducing class sizes, investing in STEM education and STEM teachers, expanding math and literacy coaching, and making long overdue repairs to aging school buildings. Lawmakers must continue this progress by passing this budget into law.
“Equally important, legislators must pass a long overdue cost-of-living adjustment for thousands of educators and public servants who retired before pension enhancements went into effect with Act 9 of 2001. We thank the House for passing a COLA bill last year. It is urgent that elected officials include a pre-Act 9 COLA for retirees in this year’s final state budget.”
House Bill 2400 includes:
- A $565 million increase for adequacy and tax equity payments
- A $50 million increase through the Basic Education Funding formula
- A $50 million increase through the Special Education Funding formula
- A $14 million increase for career and technical education
- A $14.3 million increase to maintain the universal school breakfast program
- Continued funding for School Facilities and School Safety/Mental Health grants
- Continued investment in community colleges and higher education
- A $5 million increase for student teacher stipends, bringing total funding to $35 million for FY 2026–27
Chapin is a Stroudsburg Area middle school teacher and president of PSEA. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, aspiring educators, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.
