Pennsylvania Missed the Budget Deadline—and Shapiro Has Nobody to Blame but Himself

Once again, Pennsylvania lawmakers missed the state budget deadline. This marks the third consecutive budget deadline that Gov. Josh Shapiro has missed.

So, who is to blame?

Shapiro, of course, blames Senate Republicans. The governor claimed the Republican-led upper chamber “has dragged its feet” on the budget—a bold claim considering that Shapiro’s party controls the governor’s mansion and the state House. And Shapiro’s proposed spending is so radical that even House Democrats have been unable to pass it.

Let’s be honest: Shapiro has only himself to blame.

First, he proposed a $51.5 billion fantasy budget chock-full of union handouts and bad math. His proposal—an 8 percent increase in spending—would drain state savings, create a $5 billion deficit, and force statewide tax hikes. This unrealistic budget was a nonstarter from the beginning.

Then, the governor disappeared. In the months leading up to the deadline, he was absent from budget negotiations. Instead of taking an active role in these conversations, he spent his time promoting himself on social media. When he’s not busy jetting off to Hollywood for media appearances, Shapiro seems to be more interested in what’s happening in Washington, D.C., not Harrisburg, fabricating the impact of work requirements on Medicaid and food stamps.

Shapiro is doing anything but leading Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvanians aren’t pleased with Shapiro’s dereliction of duty. Recent polling by the Commonwealth Foundation revealed that almost seven in ten believe that the governor must take a more active role in negotiating a bipartisan budget compromise.

And rather than blame his fellow lawmakers, Shapiro must demonstrate his willingness to work across the aisle in the Pennsylvania Senate and lead his party in the House. Three-fourths of Pennsylvania agree that the governor must focus more on working with the legislature to deliver bipartisan reforms.

Pennsylvanians are also deeply concerned about Shapiro’s excessive spending. A solid majority—57 percent—oppose the governor’s out-of-control budget proposal.

Voters also don’t buy Shapiro’s “get s*** done” mantra. About 56 percent of voters are unsure of Shapiro’s record or don’t believe the governor has achieved anything meaningful. For those claiming he has delivered a significant accomplishment, about one-third could not provide a specific example.

This polling also reveals what issues Pennsylvanians want Shapiro and Pennsylvania lawmakers to focus on:

• Educational opportunity for all Pennsylvania kids. Seven out of ten Pennsylvanians support Lifeline Scholarships and refundable tax-credit scholarships that help kids in failing schools find better educational alternatives. Also, 55 percent oppose the governor’s proposal to cut funding to cyber charter schools.
• Unleashing Pennsylvania energy. Nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvanians oppose the governor’s plans to impose a carbon tax and mandate unreliable energy sources. Instead, Pennsylvania must maintain its status as a national leader in energy.

With each passing day of this budget impasse, Shapiro demonstrates his inability to effectively lead Pennsylvania. Instead of engaging in political theater, he must reach across the aisle and work toward bipartisan solutions to the issues affecting everyday Pennsylvanians. 

To learn more about some of those solutions, please visit the Commonwealth Foundation’s agenda of a Better Pennsylvania.