HARRISBURG, Pa. — PA State Budget negotiations continue in Harrisburg as state officials work privately to reach an agreement on a proposed $51.5 billion spending plan.
The total spending amount remains a major point of discussion. The current proposal uses a portion of the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover recurring costs. Lawmakers have not yet agreed on new sources of long-term revenue.
Much of the proposed new funding would go to Pennsylvania’s lowest-income school districts and public transit systems. To avoid further use of reserve funds, the governor has proposed legalizing adult-use cannabis and taxing skill games to generate revenue.
In May, the House of Representatives passed a cannabis legalization bill. The Senate has focused on regulating and taxing skill games. However, lawmakers have not reached consensus on either proposal.
Without a final budget, payments to school districts, counties, and service providers could face delays in the coming weeks. Learn more here.
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has met with members of our regional legislative delegation to advocate key business priorities in this year’s budget, and we sincerely thank them for engaging with and supporting the regional business community. We will continue to monitor negotiations and support pro-growth policies that strengthen the regional business community and increase Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness.
From left: Ryan Unger, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC; state Rep. Nathan Davidson, 103rd District; and Kevin DiGuiseppe, Business Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
About the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
For 140 years, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has served as the region’s catalyst for economic prosperity. The organization combines business, community, and economic development services to enhance the region’s vitality and livability. The Chamber is a five-star accredited chamber through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—a distinction held by fewer than 1 percent of chambers nationwide. CREDC is the Certified Economic Development Organization for Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties.
The Chamber & CREDC celebrates a storied history of being the catalyst that moves the city forward. The Chamber answered the call from Mira Lloyd Dock to lead the City Beautiful movement in 1900. Twenty years later, the Chamber spearheaded the effort to bring reliable, modern electricity to the city. Over the past two decades, CREDC has driven $150 million in economic impact through close to 100 projects in the city, catalyzing the redevelopment of residential, commercial, and industrial sites.
