Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

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FY2024 (proposed)
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Proposed Budget - Fiscal Year 2024

On March 7, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro proposed a budget for fiscal 2024. The proposal calls for total operating spending from all funds of $117.6 billion (a 3.7 percent increase compared to fiscal 2023), including $44.4 billion in general fund spending (an 8.0 percent increase) and $45.8 billion in federal fund spending (a 2.3 percent decrease). Additionally, the budget recommends capital bond authorizations of $1.34 billion in fiscal 2024. The budget is based on a general fund beginning balance of $7.9 billion and forecasted general fund revenue of $42.0 billion in fiscal 2024 (a 1.6 percent decrease from estimated revenue for fiscal 2023). The governor’s recommended budget estimates a general fund ending balance of $5.6 billion. In addition, the state’s rainy day fund, known as the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, is estimated to have a fiscal 2024 ending balance of $5.3 billion, or 11.9 percent of general fund spending.

Proposed Budget Highlights 

The governor’s first state budget focuses on “commonsense” investments to strengthen the economy, make communities safer and healthier, and improve public education. Additionally, the governor recommends several tax actions to benefit families affected by rising costs. Below are some of the governor’s key proposals to support these budget priorities.

Cutting Costs for Families

• Eliminate state gross receipts and sales taxes on cell phones ($124 million in taxpayer savings annually)
• Increase maximum Property Tax Rent Rebate, expand income eligibility, and tie income cap to cost of living

Building Economic Prosperity

• Invest 50 percent more in the Manufacturing Innovation Program that connects higher education institutions with businesses
• Fund the governor’s Office of Transformation and Opportunity, a new one-stop-shop for businesses
• $20 million to create a new state program to invest in historically disadvantaged businesses
• Fund a new Organic Center of Excellence to support the agriculture sector
• $12 million for direct economic development funding to attract new business and help Pennsylvania’s existing businesses expand.

Building a Strong Workforce

• $24.7 million for job retention and recruitment efforts to address workforce shortages in sectors such as nursing, law enforcement and education through a refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 per year for three years for individuals becoming certified or licensed in those professions
• Invest in childcare options for working parents, including up to $66.7 million in childcare services for low-income families, a $30 million increase for the Pre-K Counts program, and $2.7 million for the Head Start Supplemental Program
• $23.8 million for workforce training and apprenticeship programs

Investing in Children & Students

• $567.4 million increase (7.8 percent) for basic education funding formula
• $103.8 million increase for special education
• $38.5 million to continue providing universal free school breakfast
• $100 million for school safety and security grants
• $100 million to reduce and remediate environmental hazards in schools
• $60 million increase in operating support for higher education institutions

Ensuring Access to Emergency Services and Public Safety

• Create a Public Safety and Protection Fund, reducing reliance on the Motor License Fund to support the state police and providing an additional $1.5 billion over the next five years for road and bridge projects
• $16.4 million for four new trooper cadet classes
• Extend and increase small 911 surcharge, as well as tie fee amount to inflation, to offset the elimination of the cell phone taxes and ensure effective operation of county-operated 911 system
• $36 million increase in emergency medical services and fire services funding
• $105 million to address community violence through grants and technical assistance
• $10 million to ensure access to constitutionally required legal defense
• Additional funds to improve clemency, parole, and probation processes

Assisting Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

• Invest $16 million in state funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit increases in response to the end of federal emergency SNAP benefits
• $10 million to reduce the waitlist for Help at Home program for older adults and to attract providers and retain staff
• $1 million for Senior Community Center grants
• $1.9 million for long-term care facilities
• $17.6 million to reduce waiting list for home and community-based services
• $3.4 million for Lifesharing program to allow disabled adults to live at home with qualified adults
• Increase appropriations to recruit and hire staff at state Centers for Independent Living

Supporting Mental Health

• $500 million over five years to increase mental health support in schools
• Increase base mental health funding to counties programs
• $4 million for new community-based programs to support criminal justice-involved people with mental illness
• $200,000 for farmer mental health

Safeguarding the Environment

• $5.75 million for Department of Environmental Protection for more air quality testing, inspections, and safeguarding water quality

Proposed Budget Information
Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget 

Budget in Brief 

Governor’s Press Release