REPUBLICANS SKEPTICAL THAT PA. GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S NEW STATE BUDGET IS ACHIEVABLE 

State Republicans are skeptical that Governor Shapiro’s new state budget proposal is viable. The Democratic leader delivered his budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year Tuesday to a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate at the state Capitol. His higher education proposal includes 975-million-dollars for state universities and community colleges, which would also be combined into one system. Other funding points include economic development, plans for IT, agriculture and emerging technology fields and a big investment in public transportation. The 48-billion-dollar budget does not call for a tax increase. It’s extra proposals would be funded by three-billion dollars from the state’s cash reserve and revenue from legalizing adult-use marijuana.