Pennsylvania Budget Agreement Is Elusive

June 30, 2023 4:51 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania’s politically divided Legislature appear on track to start the state’s new fiscal year without a spending plan in place. Closed-door talks through Thursday have yielded optimism from Republicans, but discontent from Democrats. The 2023-24 fiscal year begins Saturday. Budget negotiators have said little publicly about their private discussions. Republicans have spoken positively of their discussions with Shapiro, but talks with Shapiro’s fellow Democrats have been strained. Democrats say they want more money for public schools and that they oppose a new $100 million private school “voucher” program that is backed by Republicans and supported by Shapir