Josh Shapiro Loves Shutdowns

When it comes to shutdowns, Gov. Josh Shapiro just can’t seem to get enough.

Pennsylvania remains the only state in the nation without an enacted or partial budget in place. Why? Shapiro is insisting on billions in deficit spending that would force a tax hike of nearly $2,000 on working families. As a result, Pennsylvania continues to suffer the effects of the Shapiro shutdown—now in its fourth month.

But as if that weren’t bad enough, Shapiro enthusiastically endorsed the federal government shutdown. Last week, he took yet another out-of-state trip for a national media appearance on The Breakfast Club, where the governor declared he’s “all in,” supporting U.S. Senate Democrats’ filibuster that has brought the federal government to a halt.

The very next day, Shapiro returned to Pennsylvania and began weaponizing taxpayer-funded resources to feign outrage about the federal shutdown—and to blame Republicans. His taxpayer-funded political theater included a staged press event, slickly produced social media reels, and even controversial partisan banner messages on state government websites.

Shapiro’s latest act of partisan loyalty comes as Pennsylvania remains paralyzed by the double whammy of concurrent state and federal shutdowns—one of his own making, the other with his energetic backing.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania struggles to operate. The impasse has forced state agencies, nonprofits, and local governments to delay or scale back essential services.

Yet, Shapiro and his House Democrat allies continue to force a protracted impasse. Apparently, they prefer a press podium over the negotiating table.

Instead of doing his job as governor, Shapiro has been busy leading a taxpayer-funded PR campaign and logging miles to boost his national profile. His obsession with national headlines has come at the expense of Pennsylvania’s families, schools, and economy.

What Has Shapiro Been Doing for the Past 114 Days?

• Writing a memoir about “bringing people together to tackle tough problems,” ironically penned amid a protracted budget impasse—his third since taking office—caused by his refusal to compromise.
• Launching a PR counteroffensive to Vice President Kamala Harris’s memoir, which critiqued Shapiro for being cocky and overly ambitious and lacking discretion.
• Weighing in on foreign policy, delivering remarks on the bombing of Iran, despite admitting “foreign policy isn’t part of my job description.”
• Hosting out-of-state fundraisers and political events, including a summer jaunt to Nantucket.
• Announcing plans to campaign in New Jersey, inserting himself into another state’s gubernatorial elections.
• Leaving the country for a press conference in Canada.
• Traveling to New York City to appear on Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

These are just a few of the distractions occupying the governor’s time. What he hasn’t done is his job.

But none of this is new for Shapiro. Even before the deadline, he traveled to Hollywood to appear on Real Time with Bill Maher, boasting, “I live in the real world in Pennsylvania, where we have to balance budgets.” All the while, he has refused to acknowledge he’d left the state mired in a budget impasse forced by his own deficit spending proposal.

Pennsylvania doesn’t need another politician chasing cameras—it needs leadership. The kind of leadership Shapiro promised as a candidate: a commitment to work across the aisle, deliver balanced budgets, and put Pennsylvanians first.

It’s long past time for Governor Shapiro to stop playing politics, return to Harrisburg, and do the job Pennsylvanians elected him to do.