Salisbury votes to pass 2025-26 state budget, citing public education funding, real-world priorities
Rep. Abigail Salisbury November 12, 2025 | 4:22 PM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury cast a “yes” vote Wednesday for Pennsylvania’s new $50.1 billion spending plan, saying that it will deliver critical investments to public schools and essential programs without adding any new tax burden on residents.
“With our schools, counties, local government and essential state programs waiting for funding, it took longer than it should have to get to this point,” Salisbury said. “I’m encouraged that the Senate finally came to the table so that we could send a plan to the governor’s desk.”
Salisbury said that education is a key focus of the new budget, which includes a $105 million increase for Basic Education, nearly $40 million more for Special Education and $565 million in adequacy and tax equity funding to continue leveling the playing field for students in historically underfunded districts. Woodland Hills School District will see an estimated $2 million increase in Ready to Learn block grant funding.
“It was critically important that we deliver on our constitutional duty to fairly fund our public schools, and the new budget does that. The new spending plan also ensures that our schools see the benefits of savings achieved through cyber charter reform. Those savings will mean additional funding of $12 million to the Pittsburgh School Distrct, more than $1.2 million to Woodland Hills School District, and nearly $450,000 to Wilkinsburg School District.”
Salisbury said that the budget also invests $125 million for school facilities and $100 million for school safety and mental health grants, and it adds nearly $29 million more for early intervention programs.
Beyond public education, the new budget delivers $2 billion to repair and improve roads and bridges; a $747 million increase for Medical Assistance Managed Care, to ensure residents in traditionally underserved, rural communities have access to health care; a $150 million increase to help Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities; $40 million more to feed residents and support family farms; $25 million for child care recruitment and retention; and a $470,000 increase to support the state’s domestic violence program.
“It’s not a perfect plan – no budget is,” Salisbury said. “But it’s a budget that prioritizes our students, our residents and our communities – without adding any additional tax burden or tapping into the state Rainy Day Fund. It’s a solid plan that puts people first, and it’s going to get critical dollars flowing at a critical time.”