Friel votes to end Pa. budget impasse, delivering wins for schools
Rep. Paul Friel November 12, 2025 | 4:42 PM
POTTSTOWN, Nov. 12 – After four months of stalemate in Harrisburg, state Rep. Paul Friel today announced that he voted for the newly passed 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget, calling it a bipartisan and responsible compromise that delivers many results for Pennsylvania families.
The budget was signed today by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“This budget isn’t perfect, but it moves Pennsylvania forward,” said Friel, D-Chester. “It puts students, working families and local communities first – while holding taxpayer-funded programs to a higher standard of accountability. I’m pleased to have voted for it.
“We were able to increase basic education funding from the state by more than $100 million, special education by $40 million, and additional funds for facilities, mental health and school safety – without raising state taxes – helping take pressure off local property tax, saving local homeowners and renters money in their pockets. The budget also included this year's installment of $565 million for adequacy payments to underfunded schools, continuing to address the Commonwealth Court ruling, which required the commonwealth to address its education funding disparities.”
Under this budget, the following school districts will all receive state funding increases above last year’s levels:
- Owen J. Roberts School District 3.7%.
- Phoenixville School District 2.9%.
- Spring-Ford Area School District 1.9%.
- Twin Valley School District 2.4%.
“The budget expands investments in K–12 education and higher education alike, helping schools recruit and retain great teachers, modernize facilities and ensure that every child has a fair shot at success,” Friel said.
Alongside increased education funding, the budget delivers long-overdue reforms to cyber charter school funding, promoting greater accountability and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. The budget will save school districts and taxpayers $178 million by reforming cyber charter tuition.
Friel said that by reining in excessive payments to cyber charters and aligning costs more closely with actual expenses, the plan ensures that every education dollar goes where it belongs – into classrooms and toward student learning.
“The budget also provides much-needed support for child care programs, community-based services and working families, recognizing that families across Chester County rely on these services to keep their lives and communities running,” Friel said. “From expanding access to affordable child care to strengthening local human services agencies, the plan invests in the backbone of Pennsylvania’s workforce and quality of life.”
Friel added that while the budget represents meaningful progress, challenges remain – especially around rising health care costs that continue to burden families and small businesses.
“This is a strong step in the right direction,” he said. “But our work doesn’t stop here. We need to keep pushing for solutions that make health care more affordable and accessible for everyone.”