AFSCME Council 13 Statement on Passage of 2026-27 PA State Budget

AFSCME Council 13 members welcome the passage of Pennsylvania's 2026-27 state budget and are pleased that lawmakers were able to reach an agreement sooner than in recent years. A timely budget provides certainty for public services, state agencies, local governments, schools, and the working families who keep Pennsylvania running every day.

We appreciate the investments included in this budget that will allow AFSCME members to continue delivering the essential services Pennsylvanians depend on. We are especially encouraged by the passage of a long-overdue Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for pre-Act 9 state retirees.

For more than two decades, thousands of retired state employees have gone without a pension increase despite rapidly rising costs for housing, healthcare, groceries, and other necessities. Council 13 members and retirees have fought tirelessly to correct this injustice, and we are proud to see that advocacy finally result in meaningful relief for these dedicated public servants.

"Our retirees devoted their careers to serving the people of Pennsylvania, and for far too long they were asked to shoulder the burden of rising costs without any adjustment to their pensions," said Jeanne Weaver, President of the Retired Public Employees of Pennsylvania Chapter 13. "This victory has been years in the making. While it should have happened much sooner, we are grateful that lawmakers finally recognized the need to provide relief to the men and women who spent their working lives serving this Commonwealth. This COLA won't erase more than two decades without an increase, but it is an important and long-overdue step forward."

While we are pleased to see this long-fought victory for retirees, we remain disappointed that the final budget did not include new recurring revenue through the regulation and taxation of skill games or the legalization of adult-use cannabis. As Pennsylvania continues to face structural budget challenges — and as federal funding cuts increasingly shift costs onto states and local communities — lawmakers must pursue responsible, sustainable revenue sources that protect public services without placing additional burdens on working families.

"Pennsylvania cannot continue kicking the can down the road when it comes to generating sustainable revenue," said Anne Radakovits, who represents state employees as President of AFSCME Local 1979. "Our members understand better than anyone that strong public services require stable funding. Regulating skill games and legalizing adult-use cannabis are common-sense solutions that would help strengthen our Commonwealth's finances and ensure the services Pennsylvanians rely on remain strong, especially as states begin absorbing the impacts of devastating federal funding cuts."

With thousands of members working in K-12 and higher education, AFSCME Council 13 is encouraged by continued investments in these areas, including $78 million for PASSHE debt relief. We know that public education builds stronger, more educated communities and provides a path to higher education. That’s why we must continue making meaningful investments in schools and the workers who educate, support, and protect students every day. 

"Passing a budget on time gives school districts the certainty they need to plan for the year ahead, and that's good news for students, workers, and communities," said Brian Brocato, President of AFSCME Local 279, representing the workers of Pittsburgh Public Schools. "But certainty alone isn't enough. As federal cuts begin putting additional pressure on state and local budgets, Pennsylvania must continue investing in public education, worker safety, and the dedicated employees who keep our schools running. We can't afford to fall behind when our students and communities are counting on us."

While this budget represents meaningful progress, particularly for retirees, the challenges ahead remain significant. The impact of federal cuts to healthcare, nutrition assistance, and other essential programs is only beginning to be felt, placing additional pressure on state and local governments to do more with fewer resources. 

AFSCME Council 13 looks forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly and the Governor to generate meaningful revenue so we can strengthen public services, invest in the public workforce, and ensure Pennsylvania remains fiscally responsible while meeting the needs of the people we serve.