The 2022-23 Pennsylvania state budget is law. On Friday evening, Governor Tom Wolf signed the bill in a private event at the governor’s mansion.

I just signed the 2022-23 budget.

I’m proud that this budget makes a historic $1.8 billion increase in education funding — bringing the total investment my administration has made in education at all levels to more than $3.7 billion. More on the budget: https://t.co/G9eS0gKO7i pic.twitter.com/GV0smqFoCj — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) July 8, 2022

“Since I took office, Pennsylvania’s students and families have been my top priority. We have made long overdue investments in the people of Pennsylvania, including better education for all, safer communities, and a brighter future,” Wolf said. “Securing $1.8 billion for education in this budget furthers these efforts and results in a historic $3.7 billion in investments my administration has made in education at all levels over the last eight years. I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished.” This budget prioritizes direct resources for Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania families, and makes legacy investments in state parks and the environment, including:

• $140 million in direct property tax relief to implement Gov. Wolf’s proposed one-time bonus rebate through the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program.
• $375 million for safe and affordable housing by creating new units, repairing existing units and funding home repairs.
• $90 million to stabilize the child care workforce through recruitment and retention payments.
• $25 million for a new Child Care Tax Credit to benefit Pennsylvania’s working families with children in child care.
• $2 million for women’s reentry to give reentrants the best opportunity to start fresh and reduce recidivism.
• $1 million for a Hunger Free Campus Initiative that will provide grants to higher education institutions to create or expand food pantries and further address college food insecurity.
• $100 million for adult mental health services, and the creation of a dedicated Behavioral Health Commission to make recommendations for allocating the funds.
• $100 million for student mental health support to ensure Pennsylvania’s youth have all the resources they need to overcome challenges and succeed through Ready to Learn Block Grants.
• $35 million to recapitalize the Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program.
• $696 million for conservation, recreation, and preservation, including funding to support the creation of three new state parks and a new ATV park.

This budget includes funding to help make Pennsylvania communities safer through increased security and grassroots violence interruption efforts, including:

• $250,000 increase for It’s On Us PA to further combat sexual assault and make colleges and universities safer.
• $100 million increase for School Safety Grants to ensure children learn and grow in safe, healthy environments.
• $50 million for Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention programs to promote grassroots efforts for safer communities.
• $105 million for violence prevention, public safety, and safer communities.
• $135 million for local law enforcement support.
• $5 million for Non-Profit Security Grants to provide security grants to organizations targeted by hate crime.

State senator Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), Republican candidate for governor, tweeted:

I voted in favor of a fiscally responsible 2022-2023 General Fund Budget to provide relief for Pennsylvanians, encourage economic development, and invest in the safety and prosperity of the Commonwealth’s next generationhttps://t.co/mVM2AfDDtn

— Senator Doug Mastriano (@SenMastriano) July 8, 2022

Senate Appropriations chair Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) said in a tweet that “this budget prepares for future challenges by transferring $2.1 billion to the Rainy Day Fund, bringing the balance in the fund to nearly $5 billion. These dollars will help to protect the state and vital programs incase of future economic downturns. Most importantly, this budget does not raise broad-based taxes on hard working families & businesses. In fact, this budget will cut taxes on PA businesses through a reduction in the CNIT rate, one of the highest in the nation, which will help to spur economic invest & create jobs.”