The budget pumps money into MassHealth, financial aid at public colleges and universities and free school meals, while holding the purse strings on some funds that sheriffs are seeking for their jails and houses of correction.

The Republican-led Pennsylvania Senate sent a $47.9 billion spending plan to the state House on Tuesday, but the proposal was dead on arrival and deemed “unserious” in the Democratic-controlled chamber,

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity said Tuesday her office has provided more than $21 million in loans to four dozen organizations to continue operating during the state budget impasse. The office started the $500 million Budget Bridge Loan Program in September to support county governments and Head Start local agencies,

State House and Senate leaders say this week's legislative session on redistricting likely marks their final votes of 2025 — which would end the year with no agreements on Medicaid funding or a full state budget.

Lawmakers did agree to pass two so-called mini budget bills, one in July and one in September, that included minor spending including authorizing step increases. Hise said the new bill would give the Office of State Budget and Management funds needed for those step increases in some state agency jobs.

Lawmakers in Harrisburg are back in session this week as the state budget impasse persists.A meeting between Gov. Josh Shapiro and Senate and House leaders too

Top Democrats in the Massachusetts Senate offered a full-throated denial Thursday that county sheriffs gave them a heads-up on multi-million-dollar budget overruns.

Senate Republicans passed another flat-funded budget Tuesday, virtually identical to the one passed in August that was shot down by Democrats.