Download The Budget Process in PA
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Though concentrated in the spring, when the legislature debates and adopts a state spending plan, Pennsylvania's budget process lasts a full year. It spans the governor's introduction of a budget blueprint in February, the legislature's amendment process in the spring, and predictions of spending needs and revenue in the fall. Pennsylvania's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

The Budget Calendar
July 1:

• The state fiscal year begins.

July/August:

• State agencies submit rebudget requests to Governor’s Office.

August:

• Governor’s Budget Office issues budget instructions and program policy guidelines to state agency for use in their departmental budget requests

September/October/November:

• State agencies develop spending proposals for the next fiscal year, which are submitted to the governor for consideration. Proposals are reviewed during November, December and January.

December:

• The Governor holds a mid-year budget briefing to inform legislators and citizens about the state's current fiscal status and project end-of-fiscal-year revenues.

January:

• Governor’s Budget Office completes work on budget request to the General Assembly.

February:

• The Governor presents a proposed budget to the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives on the first Tuesday of February. (The Governor may choose to delay presentation of his/her budget request till the first Tuesday of March during the first year of a term of office.)

February/March:

• The House and Senate Appropriations Committees hold public hearings to review state agencies' funding requests.

April/May/June:

• The legislature drafts amendments to the governor's plan.
• House and Senate budget conferees negotiate allocations with the Governor's Office.
• The House and Senate may debate and adopt their own versions of the budget.
• A conference committee reconciles the House and Senate versions, and the Governor signs the agreed-to bill.
• The budget must pass by June 30, although earlier - and later - passage is possible.

June 30:

• The fiscal year ends.