HARRISBURG, PA − July 16, 2026 − State Senator John Kane announced the passage of Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 state budget, highlighting significant investments in key areas around the Commonwealth. The budget also continues funding priorities that will directly benefit communities throughout Delaware and Chester counties, including additional resources for public schools and a long-awaited cost-of-living adjustment for thousands of retired public employees.
“This budget delivers real results for Pennsylvania families,” Kane said. “It invests in our schools, provides meaningful tax relief, strengthens our workforce, supports public safety, and honors the public servants who have spent their careers serving our communities. These are investments that will make a difference here at home and across Pennsylvania.”
The $50.8 billion spending plan makes targeted investments in education, workforce development, healthcare, infrastructure, public safety, and affordability while continuing Pennsylvania’s commitment to growing the economy and expanding opportunity.
Among the major investments included in the budget are:
- More than $1 billion in property tax relief for homeowners.
- $565 million in adequacy and equity funding to continue correcting Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system.
- $8.3 billion for Basic Education and $1.5 billion for Special Education to strengthen classrooms across the Commonwealth.
- $154 million for Career and Technical Education, preparing students for high-demand careers.
- $419 million for the PHEAA State Grant Program to help students afford higher education.
- $40 million for student teacher stipends, helping future educators complete their required classroom experience.
- $30 million for child care workforce recruitment and retention, supporting families and providers alike.
- $775 million for local roads and bridges, accelerating infrastructure improvements in communities throughout Pennsylvania.
- $979 million for mental health services, including expanded investments in the 988 crisis response system and crisis stabilization services.
- $62.15 million for violence intervention and prevention programs, along with funding for four new Pennsylvania State Police cadet classes.
Kane said he is proud to see multiple initiatives he has long advocated for come to fruition in this budget, delivering meaningful benefits for communities across Pennsylvania.
The budget provides a long-awaited Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Pre-Act 9 retirees including teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who retired before July 2, 2001.
“Our retired teachers, police officers, firefighters, and public employees devoted their careers to serving Pennsylvanians,” Kane said. “Many have waited decades for this adjustment while the cost of living continued to climb. This budget finally delivers the recognition and relief they’ve earned.”
Kane also pointed to the continued investment in adequacy funding for public schools as an important step toward ensuring every student receives a quality education.
“Where a child lives should never determine the quality of education they receive,” Kane said. “Continued investments in adequacy funding will help school districts like Chester Upland continue making progress by providing students with the resources and opportunities they deserve.”
Kane shared that the budget reflects the importance of investing in people while recognizing that additional work remains to address the affordability challenges many Pennsylvanians continue to face.
“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made through this budget, but my work doesn’t stop here,” Kane said. “I’ll continue fighting to lower utility costs, strengthen consumer protections, raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, and build an economy where working families have every opportunity to succeed.”
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