Nikil Saval

Two Democratic state senators, Nikil Saval and Katie Muth, voted against Pennsylvania's bipartisan $50.8 billion state budget, criticizing it for avoiding major issues like rising energy costs, affordable housing, and public transit funding. The budget passed with bipartisan support, but the senators argued it deferred critical policy challenges, particularly in transportation and housing.

Pennsylvania's $50.8 billion budget, passed by the state House and Senate despite opposition from both parties, heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro for signature. The budget includes new education funding, energy policies, and teacher pension increases but excludes Shapiro's requested revenue measures like cannabis legalization. Legislative leaders framed it as a compromise, with some lawmakers criticizing its failure to address structural deficits or new revenue streams.

Pennsylvania’s legislature has missed the June 30 deadline to pass a budget, with lawmakers unlikely to resolve a partisan stalemate over mass transit funding. Transportation advocates warned of severe service cuts to agencies like SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, while a court-ordered injunction temporarily halted SEPTA’s cuts by authorizing funds from the Public Transportation Trust Fund.

A bipartisan federal housing bill aimed at lowering costs and expanding home repair programs faces delays due to President Donald Trump's refusal to sign until Congress passes an election oversight proposal. The bill includes Pennsylvania's Whole-Home Repairs Program, which used $125 million to fix nearly 4,000 homes but lacks current state funding despite high demand.