News reports from the state capitol indicate that the budget passed with 117 house members voting yes to the $45 billion proposal. One of the key sticking issues with the spending plan was Gov Shapiro’s support for $100 million for a private school choice program. That according to the reports, was dropped by Shapiro in an effort to get a budget passed. On the flip side, the budget does contain a very large increase in public school funding, and there is added funding for state police, agriculture and economic development. Some republicans say that the governor turned his back on private schools and their students with his reversal of support. The new budget does not contain any new income or sales tax increases for residents.
