2025/26 Budget: SB 160 As Amended 10/8/25 - Summary

By House Appropriations Committee Staff , | today

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Big Picture

• The total state General Fund spend is $50.25 billion, which is a $2.4 billion or 5.1% increase over 2024/25 (revised).
• No revenue changes.

Highlighted Investments

• K-12 Education
  • Fully funds the second installment ($565 million increase) of adequacy and tax equity payments to meet our constitutional obligation to public schools.
  • $105 million increase for Basic Education Funding.
  • $40 million increase for Special Education Funding.
  • $28.5 million or 7.1% increase for Early Intervention (3-5 year olds).
  • $175 million in estimated savings to school districts from cyber charter funding reform.
    • $100 million in cyber charter transition is eliminated.
  • $125 million for school facilities.
  • $100 million for school safety and mental health grants.
  • $9.5 million increase for Pre-K Counts.
  • $5 million increase for the Public Library Subsidy.
• Higher Education
  • PHEAA – maintains the $5,750 maximum state grant amount.
  • Student teacher stipend is level-funded at $30 million.
  • $40 million or 6.5% increase for PASSHE (PASSHE can revisit 3.6% tuition increase for 25/26).

• Health and Human Services
  • $765 million increase for MA Managed Care.              
    • Includes increased funding for the rate increases for participating managed care plans in the MA managed care program. 
    • Makes no changes to the current program.
  • $20.7 in increased funding for the Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).
    • Eliminates the need to limit access to programs and services that many seniors depend on, like senior centers, home delivered meals, and home care services. 
  • $50 million for Child Care Worker Retention and Recruitment.
    • This funding is for the Child Care Retention and Recruitment initiative proposed by the Governor which will provide support for our child care workforce.  
  • $10 million to increase provider rates in the Early Intervention program (children 0 to 3 years old).
  • $5 million for Neurodegenerative Disease Research to provide grants to qualifying institutions researching neurodegenerative diseases.
  • $12.5 million ($550,000 increase) for the Rape Crisis program.
• Food Insecurity
  • $9.57 million ($7 million increase) for Farmers Market Coupons.
  • $30.688 million ($4 million increase) for State Food Purchase Program.
• Fire Protection
  • $7 million ($2 million increase) for Capitol Fire Protection within DGS.