Skill games, marijuana a sticking point in Pennsylvania’s budget negotiations: This Week in Pennsylvania

Date:2025-07-27 22:32:07 Category:US Views:3 Comment:0

(WHTM) – A top Republican lawmaker says skill games and marijuana continue to be a major issue in budget negotiations.

In an interview on This Week in Pennsylvania, the Republican Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), says negotiations are ongoing for how much to spend, as well as how to fund things such as education and transportation.

“One of my frustrations was that the governor introduced a budget that I think he knew and a lot of the House Democrats and Senate Democrats knew was not feasible, was not financially responsible to the taxpayers of this commonwealth.”

Shapiro’s initial budget proposal was worth approximately $51.5 billion, with plans to fund increased spending by taxing marijuana and games of skill.

Struzzi says lawmakers are working to find common ground.

“No one is going to be 100% happy, but we have to find something that everyone can agree to to move forward,” Struzzi added. He says a recent proposal from House Democrats to legalize marijuana was rushed and that he does not believe legalization will get done in this year’s budget.

Also on This Week in Pennsylvania, our analysts discuss Governor Josh Shapiro’s appearance on The Late Show with Steven Colbert in a potential preview of a 2028 presidential campaign, and other issues in Pennsylvania politics.

Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the week’s biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.

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