June 2026 | Legislative Update
What’s Happening Statewide Level? (This is how you stay in the know!)
State Legislative Update
As the General Assembly approaches the June 30 budget deadline, negotiations continue in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania has not enacted a state budget on time since 2021, and it remains unclear whether lawmakers will reach an agreement before the start of the new fiscal year. Among the issues under discussion are Governor Shapiro’s proposal to draw from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and the future of so-called “skill games.” A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling determined that skill game machines fall under existing gaming laws and must comply with the Gaming Act and Crimes Code. The decision has added new urgency to ongoing discussions about how the machines should be regulated and taxed, with potentially significant implications for state revenues and the final shape of the budget agreement.
Housing investments and policy proposals also remain active topics of discussion. Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency awarded $90 million through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) program to support affordable housing and housing stability initiatives across the Commonwealth. Efforts continue to increase PHARE funds in future years. Advocates and policymakers continue to highlight the success of Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs Program, which has invested $125 million to help repair, weatherize, and improve thousands of homes. The program has attracted national attention and served as a model for a portion of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, federal legislation that would include establishing a pilot program based on Pennsylvania’s approach. While the bill had been expected to be signed into law this week, its status remains uncertain following the cancellation of a scheduled signing ceremony.
The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania participated in a Capitol press conference hosted by Senate Democrats to discuss affordable housing priorities, including expansion of the Whole-Home Repairs Program and efforts to remove barriers to homeownership. In addition to highlighting the need for continued investment in housing programs, speakers pointed to several housing-related bills that have passed the House and are awaiting action in the Senate, including measures addressing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), eviction record sealing, and shared housing options for unrelated adults—sometimes referred to as the “Golden Girls” bill. Speakers encouraged Senate leadership and their colleagues to advance these proposals for consideration and emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to address Pennsylvania’s housing challenges. Several speakers also pointed to the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as an example of the broad support that housing solutions can attract across party lines.
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