The 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget is now close to being two months late as legislators advance competing proposals in the General Assembly. On Aug. 11, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill to increase public transit funding, avoiding anticipated cuts in service, while also providing more funding for highway maintenance and construction and instituting many of the oversight and accountability reforms that Senate leaders have demanded.
The following day, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a bill to provide short-term funding for public transit while requiring fare increases, as well as a separate budget bill that would maintain funding levels from the 2024-25 budget at $47.7 billion, compared with the governor’s $51.5 billion proposal.
All three bills were passed almost entirely along party lines in their respective chambers and would likely change significantly if taken up by the other chamber. Gov. Josh Shapiro continues to urge lawmakers to come together in Harrisburg to reach a consensus spending plan for the fiscal year.
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.
