2023-24 State Budget
Budget Documents
2023-24 Enacted Budget
The 2023-24 Commonwealth Budget was signed by Governor Shapiro on August 3, 2023.
2023-24 Proposed Budget
(Introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro, March 7, 2023)
2023-24 Governor’s Executive Budget (PDF)
2023-24 Proposed Budget Line-Item Appropriation (PDF)
The 2023-24 PA State Budget School Funding Bill addresses the dire educator shortage in urban, suburban & rural schools across Pennsylvania. The bill includes $10 million for student teacher stipends – which we have fought hard for. That includes programs to address our state’s teacher shortage, funding for remediating toxic schools, funding for school based mental health programs, updates for school safety and security, providing for more substitute teachers, and the necessary formulas to effectuate the distribution of appropriated funds.
Addressing the teacher crisis
We know that there is a dire educator shortage in urban, suburban, and rural schools across PA, made worse by difficulty making ends meet during required student-teacher time. This code bill makes it easier for student-teachers to join the workforce by supporting them financially as they gain critical classroom experience during their time in school. By better supporting our teachers-in-training, we can not only begin to fix the crisis, but deliver teachers of more diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
School based mental health programs
As the nation continues to face an unprecedented mental health crisis, it’s up to us to deliver care where students are. All of us deserve to get the care we need when we are sick, including care for our minds. This code authorizes funding that will allow young people to see a licensed therapist in the school setting and help them grapple with the struggles of life in the modern age.
More substitute teachers
As school districts continue to fill open positions and cover for educators out sick, we must make it easier for the show to go on by inviting more members of the community to step up as substitute teachers.
Necessary formulas to effectuate the distribution of appropriated funds
This school code includes language to drive out these much-needed monies to our schools and educators.
Money to fix toxic schools
As far as we know, there is no amount of lead that is considered safe for humans, let alone young people. We must ensure that schools are keeping our students healthy, not poisoning them with effects that can be felt for a lifetime. That’s why we are creating a framework for funding to fix toxic schools and make sure every school building is free of lead in water, asbestos, and mold.
School safety and security
As we fight for increased community safety and gun safety, we must continue to ensure schools are places of learning, not violence. This school code delivers funding that will ensure that bad actors cannot breach school grounds, and schools have the resources to restore peace.
Educational Improvement Program
The Education Improvement Tax Credit has become a fixture of Pennsylvania’s education environment. While our caucus has concerns about its continued increase in cost, we achieved important accountability measures that will provide the Legislature and the public with more information on how the program is operating and if there and needed measures to improve how it works.
Senate and House Democrats React
Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus and Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus gathered in the main rotunda of the Capitol after the Governor’s Budget Address to share perspectives and responses to the proposed budget.
Senate Democrats share thoughts and reactions following Governor Shapiro’s budget address on March 7, 2023.
Budget Address
On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, Governor Shapiro delivered his budget address, presenting his plan for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Stay tuned on this page for updates, resources, and reactions from Senate Democrats throughout the budget process.
2023-24 Budget Hearings
2023-24 Proposed Budget Details
Education
Public Safety
Community Development
Economic Development
Environment
Budget News
Brewster Lauds Passage of Omnibus School Code Bill
Harrisburg – November 17, 2023 – This week, the Senate passed the school funding portion of the 2023-2024 Pennsylvania Budget after amending House Bill 301 to include several programs Senator Brewster and his colleagues have advocated for during this...
Sen. Nick Miller Votes to Fund State-Related Universities
November 15, 2023 – Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) applauds today’s passage of House Bill 1461 (Harris, D-Philadelphia). House Bill 1461 will provide funding for state-related universities for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. “Getting beyond the...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Lauds Passage of Funding for State Related Universities
Pittsburgh, PA – November 15, 2023 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1461, a bill to fund state-related universities, by a vote of 45-5. This was well above the constitutionally required two-thirds vote necessary to fund Penn State, the University of...
Senator Costa Discusses the 2023-24 School Code Bill (HB 301)
Senator Boscola Takes a Stand for Homeowners in the Lehigh Valley, Amid Passage of Omnibus School Code Bill in the Senate
HARRISBURG, PA – November 15, 2023 – Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) took a stand during session today, as the Omnibus School Code bill, HB301, was considered for final passage by the Senate. Despite supporting critical elements such as School Safety,...
Senator Lindsey Williams Issues Statement Calling for General Assembly to Fulfill Constitutional Obligation to Fully and Fairly Fund Public Education
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 28, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement today calling on legislators to complete the FY2023-24 budget and continue the work of the Basic Education Funding...