Harrisburg, Pa., September 30, 2025 — A federal government shutdown is set to begin at midnight, barring a last-minute deal. For Pennsylvania residents, the commonwealth remains in a dangerously precarious position, with a looming federal shutdown overlapping with its four-month-long state budget impasse.
Despite reporting that a budget deal was “very, very close” in June, Gov. Josh Shapiro, now three months later, has left the state without a budget. Even as compromises have been proposed, the governor instead chose to force an impasse, obstructing the state’s ability to weather financial crises, such as a federal government shutdown.
Commonwealth Foundation’s COO & General Counsel, Megan Martin, issued the following statement in response:
“Governor Shapiro’s failed leadership, resulting in a monthslong state budget impasse, has left Pennsylvanians more vulnerable in the event of a federal shutdown. Pennsylvania is the only state in the United States operating without an enacted or even a temporary state budget. The commonwealth’s deadline was up in June, and in the months since, tense debate ensued over every aspect of the budget, with no end in sight more than 90 days later.
“Many eyes are on Washington’s budget fight, but Pennsylvania’s own budget crisis is already harming residents. Every day without a state budget threatens essential services across the state, with real consequences for families and communities.
“Meanwhile, Shapiro continues with his business-as-usual distractions—holding press conferences on unrelated issues, sending staff to the Steelers game in Ireland, and jetting off to national talk show appearances—rather than doing the critical work the good people of Pennsylvania elected him to do: governing. It’s far past time for the governor to bring both sides to the table and forge a fiscally responsible budget for the commonwealth.
“We sincerely hope Congress avoids a shutdown. Politicians in Washington, D.C. shouldn’t emulate Josh Shapiro’s irresponsible approach, placing special interest handouts above taxpayers to score cheap political points and media attention.”
