With wheels moving in Pa. Capitol, here’s how soon the state could have a budget signed

State lawmakers got to work bright and early Wednesday morning to push through a package of bills that are poised to end Pennsylvania’s four-and-a-half-month-long budget impasse

The state House began taking committee votes just after 9 a.m., and the Senate soon followed, meaning core pieces of the budget could be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk as early as Wednesday afternoon.

The process relies on what are often referred to as “vehicle” bills, which have already been through most of the committee review and voting process. Budget language is then amended into these bills shortly before passage, fast-tracking a deal.

On Wednesday morning, the House amended the general appropriations line items – a $50.1 billion spending package for 2025-26 – into such an existing bill.

The Senate did