FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Contact: Cindy Carr, ccarr@aftpa.org
AFTPA Reacts To Gov. Shapiro’s FY 26-27 Budget Address
HARRISBURG – Today, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget speech. The Governor is proposing a $53.2 billion budget, which is a 5.38% increase over FY 25-26, and includes:
- A $565 million increase for K-12 adequacy funding;
- A $50 million increase for Basic Education Funding;
- A $50 million increase for Special Education Funding;
- A continuation of Cyber Charter Funding reforms, which saves public school districts an estimated $250 million per year;
- An increase of $100 million for school safety and mental health;
- $125 million to address school structural upgrades and environmental concerns, including $25 million for Solar for Schools;
- A $5 million increase for student teacher stipends;
- A $5.9 million increase for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program run through PHEAA;
- An $18 million increase for Career and Technical Education (CTE) apprenticeships;
- Fully funding CTE subsidies;
- Raising the Pennsylvania minimum wage to $15/hour starting January 1, 2027; and
- Expanding digital and AI literacy for students, parents, and caregivers.
The Pennsylvania legislature is expected to pass the budget by June 30, 2026. The state legislature passed the 2025 budget more than 130 days late.
In response, AFT Pennsylvania President Wendy G. Coleman issued the following statement:
“AFT Pennsylvania applauds Gov. Shapiro for his continued commitment to public education, our students, and our members. The increases that the Governor has proposed for K-12 education, Special Education, upgrading school buildings, student teacher stipends, state grants for college students, Career and Technical Education apprenticeships, and raising the minimum wage are more than just a dollar figure – they are an investment in the future and success of our Commonwealth. Every student in Pennsylvania deserves access to a top-tier education regardless of where they live or how much money their family makes. Every worker in the Commonwealth deserves to be paid a fair wage for the jobs that they do. These investments will bring us closer to achieving these goals than ever before.
“Now, it’s up to the State Legislature to do its job and pass this budget on time – for our students, for our members, and for all Pennsylvanians.”