In the span of a week, Pennsylvania moved a budget from the backrooms of the legislature to governor’s desk — where it was signed into law early this evening.

Gov. Tom Wolf signed the state’s $32.7 billion dollar budget with $560 million in increased spending and no new taxes Friday night after it passed both chambers in a whirlwind week.

The House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to advance a $32.7 billion 2018-19 budget in what lawmakers hope will start a swift march to finish it ahead of the state’s traditional June 30 deadline.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) said he expected a final floor vote on the bill Wednesday before sending it to the Senate.

The Pennsylvania School Safety Task Force wrapped up its statewide listening tour Tuesday morning at Woodland Hills High School. Formed a month after the deadly Parkland shooting, the task force has held six meetings to receive input from students and educators and determine best practices for improving school security and safety.

With the start of June, a wave of advocates has descended on Harrisburg to make their pitch for funding, from programs for people with disabilities to school safety.

Some of those priorities are bipartisan. Others shade to one party or another. But while no exact numbers or funding plans are out just yet, that doesn’t mean work isn’t getting done.

State Senator Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Representative Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny), and Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) announced the introduction of the bills last week that affect Lincoln University and Cheyney University specifically. 

The proposed office would be responsible for helping Cheyney and Lincoln work with federal departments and agencies, educational associations, and philanthropic organizations.