News & Brews June 30, 2026
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It’s budget deadline day, but still no budget
Well, surprising no one, it appears the June 30 state budget deadline will pass without a state budget. The progressive Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that as of yesterday afternoon “few details ha[d] emerged from negotiations between Gov. Josh Shapiro and leaders of the Senate Republican and House Democratic majorities. And with Senate rules requiring the bill that will ultimately contain the budget to be read on three separate days, the earliest a budget could pass is Wednesday.” But let’s be real; It’s likely not happening tomorrow either, as the House and Senate haven’t even agreed on a total spend number yet, let alone how to pay for it.
Dems join ranks to boost fundraising
POLITICO reports that five Democrat candidates across the country—including one from Pennsylvania—have joined ranks to form the ‘Blue Collar Brigade’, “a joint fundraising effort … to help bankroll their campaigns and amplify a populist, progressive message.” That Democrat from Pa. is Bob Brooks, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the Lehigh Valley. “These candidates … say they lack the access to deep-pocketed donor networks that their more traditionally connected colleagues and rivals can tap.” (Somehow we doubt that.)
Who are Pa.’s top paid state workers?
Yesterday, I shared the story that more than 1,000 state workers made the “$200,000 club”, earning that amount or more in 2025. Well, PennLive has now given us a list of who the top 10 earners are, along with a searchable database of the rest of the club. One takeaway? “If you want the best shot at becoming one of Pennsylvania’s highest-paid state government employees, you have two career options: go to medical school or climb the academic ladder.” (Or become a chief investment officer.)
AG Sunday talks ruling on Krasner
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Attorney General Dave Sunday discussed the recent state Supreme Court ruling giving his office “authority to review the efforts of Philadelphia prosecutors to overturn murder convictions they have called unjust, a signature initiative of District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office.” Sunday called the ruling “unprecedented” and stressed the need to “apply the law and the facts to the issue.” The court’s ruling was a huge blow to Krasner, who has long been criticized for his soft-on-crime approach.
Fetterman & McCormick promote Trump accounts
City & State PA reports that during a visit to Philadelphia yesterday, U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick promoted the so-called “Trump accounts” that are set to go live on July 4. The accounts, which were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, will “provide a federal seed investment of $1,000 to American children born on or after January 1, 2025.” Fetterman’s message to the kids was that crossing party lines, the pair came together “because we want all of you one day to be millionaires and we want you to have your financial security in life.”