Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, March 26, 2026

Pennsylvania

PA House Democrats Introduce Governor Shapiro’s Budget Proposal 

Pennsylvania House Democrats have formally introduced a spending plan identical to Governor Josh Shapiro’s $53.2 billion proposal ahead of the June 30 deadline. Appropriations Chair Representative Jordan Harris (D-186-Philadelphia) emphasized that the bill addresses long-standing priorities, including a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour and new revenue from legalized adult-use cannabis and electronic skill games. Senate Republicans have already criticized the plan’s 5.4% spending increase, pointing to a projected $6.7 billion structural deficit. 

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PA House Republicans Launch Tax Relief Plan

Pennsylvania House Republicans introduced their “Freedom Through Affordability” initiative, proposing a suite of six-month tax cuts and sales tax holidays to combat rising costs. Highlighted aspects of the package include a temporary reduction of the Personal Income Tax from 3.07% to 2.99%, the suspension of the state gas tax, and a tax holiday on electricity and telecommunications. The plan also includes cuts for purchases of back-to-school items, soccer and football equipment, gardening and lawn supplies, prom-related items like dresses and suits, and gold, silver and Bitcoin, among others. House Democrats dismissed the proposals as “temporary,” instead urging the Senate to pass their long-term minimum wage and paid leave measures. The GOP will promote the initiative via an “Affordability Starts Here” statewide tour beginning March 30.

PA Minimum Wage Bill Passes the House

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to raise the minimum wage for workers across the state. The legislation, sponsored by state Representative Jason Dawkins (D-179-Philadelphia) proposes a graduated minimum wage increase, rising to $11 per hour on January 1, 2027, followed by incremental jumps to $13 in 2028 and $15 in 2029, with subsequent annual cost-of-living adjustments. While four Republicans joined Democrats to advance the bill in the House, the bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where Democrats previously failed in their efforts to pass similar legislation for the last three years. Another bill, introduced by Representatives Emily Kinkead (D-20-Allegheny) and Roni Green (D-190-Philadelphia), proposes that the annual cost-of-living adjustments currently used to calculate lawmakers’ salaries be applied to Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.

PA House Special Elections

While Jen Mazzocco (D-42-Allegheny) and Ana Tiburcio (D-22-Lehigh) were sworn in after winning special elections last month, Representative Stephenie Scialabba (R-12-Butler) announced her resignation effective March 31. Representative Scialabba, who cited the personal challenges of balancing legislative service with raising a young child, leaves behind a seat she won by 30 points in 2024. Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-191-Philadelphia) is now required to issue a writ for a special election by April 10, with the contest to be held at least 60 days later. Another special election is set for May 19 to fill the seat vacated by Republican Seth Grove in the 196th District.

Philadelphia

City Council Budget Hearings, Mayor Parker’s $1 Rideshare Tax Hike

Philadelphia City Council began hearings on Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed $6.9 billion budget. City Council members voiced concern following Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposal to quintuple a planned rideshare fee from 20 cents to $1 per ride. The tax, intended to generate $48 million annually to address the School District’s $300 million deficit, faced pushback from lawmakers like Councilmember Cindy Bass and Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who questioned the timing and the potential “regressive” impact on low-income residents reliant on Uber and Lyft. While the administration argues the fee would save school positions, critics and Uber spokespeople contend that more than half of rides originate in underserved areas. 

Pittsburgh

City Council Considers Restricting City Cooperation with ICE

Pittsburgh City Council introduced a legislative package aimed at codifying and expanding policies that limit local government interaction with federal immigration authorities. The bills would prohibit city employees from inquiring about immigration status, ban the use of city property for ICE staging, and formalize the police bureau’s existing “hands-off” approach to immigration-only enforcement. Council is scheduled to discuss the package, which also includes a new oversight report on surveillance technology, next week.

Pittsburgh Unveils NFL Draft Transit and Road Closure Plan

Pittsburgh officials and transportation leaders have released a comprehensive regional strategy to manage the 500,000 to 700,000 visitors expected for the NFL Draft on April 23-25. The plan emphasizes public transit over driving, introducing four “Football Flyer” express bus routes, and significantly increased light rail T service. 

Federal

ICE Deployed to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Airports Amid DHS Shutdown

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel began deploying to 14 airports nationwide, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, to assist with security checkpoint delays caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown. President Trump stated the deployment is intended to support TSA operations, while also noting that agents are expected to detain undocumented immigrants encountered at the airports. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Airports saw over 24% of TSA workers call out on Sunday, according to U.S Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has stated that long lines at airports came from the “choice to shut DHS down.” The DHS shutdown continues amidst negotiations concerning restrictions on the federal government’s immigration enforcement agenda.

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