News & Brews June 18, 2026
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The Rainy Day fund and the Pa. budget
USA Today Network reports that “Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to use reserves to balance Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget would be the largest savings draw in state history.” Specifically, Shapiro hopes to yank nearly $4.7 billion from the state’s Rainy Day fund. But there’s a problem. Per state law, the Rainy Day fund can be used only for emergencies or economic downturns leading to revenue shortfalls. And Senate and House Republicans think following the law matters.
The court spoke on skill games. Now what?
For time immemorial (or maybe a bit less), lawmakers have been waiting on the court to rule on skill games before taking any action. Spotlight PA reports that now that the court has ruled that skill games are slot machines, the “clock is now ticking for state lawmakers to regulate” the games. “Still, the decision won’t make it easier for the divided legislature to agree on how to structure a brand-new piece of Pennsylvania’s competitive gambling landscape.”
Ward selected chair of national Republican group
State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward has been selected chair of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, which is focused on electing Republicans to state legislatures nationwide. “State legislatures are the livelihood of our Republic,” Ward said, “and Republicans continue to prove that strong organization, disciplined messaging, and authentic local leadership win elections even in the toughest environments…. With the RLCC’s 2026 leadership in place, we are focused on protecting our majorities, stopping radical redistricting efforts, and expanding the Republican map in the elections that will shape the next decade.”
Shapiro’s school choice ‘sellout continues’
National Review writes that even though Gov. Shapiro campaigned as a supporter of education reform, he “has caved to the powerful teachers’ union, which calls shots in the legislature’s Democrat caucus.” And while there is broad support for school choice in Pennsylvania, this public sentiment “holds no sway” with House Democrats. Perhaps a better way to phrase this would be that Gov. Shapiro holds no sway with House Democrats, as he abandoned his promise to Pennsylvanians because he couldn’t get Democrat Leader Matt Bradford on board.
Poll gives Shapiro good news, Trump not so much
A new poll from Franklin & Marshall College found 48% of Pennsylvania voters think Gov. Shapiro is doing an excellent or good job, while 48% say his job performance is fair or poor. But support for Shapiro in the upcoming gubernatorial election was even higher, at 50%. Meanwhile, when it comes to Trump, 58% of Pa. voters rank his job performance as poor, “up from 51% in F&M’s March poll and the highest percentage to ever say that going back to even his first term.”