The Seinfeld Shutdown in PA
Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 10, 2025. October 10, 2025 by Marc Stier The Pennsylvania state budget is now 13 weeks—a quarter of the year—late. Yet it’s not clear what’s causing the delay. And frankly it appears to be about almost nothing but petty political disputes mostly coming from the Republicans—so we’re calling it the “Seinfeld Shutdown.” A short budget delay is not that serious. State laws and court decisions keep most state offices open even if a budget has not been passed. That reduces the pressure on legislators to pass a budget. But a budget delayed for a quarter of the year is now harming schools, social services agencies, and county governments that have been waiting for state payments. Many have taken out loans that will add to greater state spending to reimburse them for interest payments. The impasse is the result of both partisan and… Continue reading