Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t Done

Heading into his third budget negotiation, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official slogan starkly contrasts with his legislative accomplishments. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis found Shapiro’s first two-and-a-half years in office were the least productive of any Pennsylvania gubernatorial term in at least 50 years.

Shapiro came to office with a strong mandate and pledged to work together with Republicans in the state Capitol. However, his inability to broker a bipartisan state budget deal in 2023 and his ultimatums to lawmakers, such as passing his carbon tax to stop Pennsylvania’s entrance into a regional carbon tax, have led to little across-the-aisle collaboration.

Instead of working with the legislature, the governor focuses on publicity stunts. With a knack for self-promotion and publicly subsidized public relations, Shapiro travels the state to announce winners of his new corporate welfare programs and urge more subsidies for mass transit. Meanwhile, he barely pays lip service to the tax cuts and scholarship programs he campaigned on.

The Commonwealth Foundation’s analysis compares the number of General Legislation Acts and Appropriations Acts enacted two and a half years into each of Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial terms dating back to 1975. Since taking office through the end of May 2025, Shapiro has signed only 241 bills into law. This contrasts with an average of 406 bills enacted in the same time frame in the previous 12 terms.

Governor Shapiro continues to demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to persuade his own party, especially those who control the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, to put forth serious proposals that deal with our structural deficit and make good on his campaign promises.

Until then, Shapiro hasn’t gotten sh*t done.