The Gist
Governor
Photo of Josh Shapiro
Josh ShapiroOfficial portrait — Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania

Josh Shapiro

Candidate for Governor

Running mate: Austin Davis

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
Governor of Pennsylvania
Lives in
Abington, Montgomery County
Campaign website
joshshapiro.org

Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023, seeking a second term with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. Previously served three two-year terms in the state House and six years as Pennsylvania's attorney general.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Proposes regulating and taxing skill games and legalizing adult-use cannabis to raise about $2 billion a year.In office

    Shapiro has proposed a 26% total tax on recreational marijuana sales, with the program run by the Department of Agriculture.

    Gov Shapiro 2026–27 Budget Proposal to Keep Doing What's Working in Pennsylvania

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Feb 3, 2026 · pa.gov

    “regulating skill games and legalizing adult-use cannabis together could generate approximately $2 billion annually”
    Report

Public safety

  • Signed budgets funding about 2,000 additional police officers and state troopers, including four more trooper classes.In office

    Governor Shapiro Signs Bipartisan 2026-27 Budget, Securing Major Priorities

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Jul 12, 2026 · pa.gov

    “providing funding for another four cadet classes of Pennsylvania State Police Troopers … delivering in full on the Governor’s promise to fund 2,000 more cops and state troopers on our streets”
    Report

Education

  • Signed a 2026-27 budget adding $565 million for school districts through the adequacy and tax equity formula.In office

    Shapiro's office says the budget brings major K-12 education subsidies to $11.85 billion.

    Governor Shapiro Signs Bipartisan 2026-27 Budget, Securing Major Priorities

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Jul 12, 2026 · pa.gov

    “$565 million increase through the bipartisan adequacy and tax equity formula for a total of $1.9 billion”
    Report

Housing

  • Proposes a statewide cap on rental application fees tied to the actual cost of tenant screening.In office

    Shapiro has proposed a $1 billion bond-funded infrastructure program that could finance housing, plus more funding for Whole-Home Repairs.

    Gov Shapiro 2026–27 Budget Proposal to Keep Doing What's Working in Pennsylvania

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Feb 3, 2026 · Building More Safe, Stable, and Affordable Housing · pa.gov

    “Establishes a statewide cap on rental application fees tied to the actual cost of screening and prohibits fees before a property is viewed”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Calls for raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour starting January 1, 2027.In office

    Gov Shapiro 2026–27 Budget Proposal to Keep Doing What's Working in Pennsylvania

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Feb 3, 2026 · Finally Increasing the Minimum Wage · pa.gov

    “The 2026–27 budget once again calls on the General Assembly to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour beginning January 1, 2027.”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Proposes GRID standards tying data center tax breaks and fast-track permits to energy, jobs and environmental rules.In office

    Under the proposal, developers must bring their own power generation or fully fund new generation; the standards are a condition for state incentives rather than a mandate on all projects.

    Gov Shapiro 2026–27 Budget Proposal to Keep Doing What's Working in Pennsylvania

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Feb 3, 2026 · Ensuring Responsible Data Center Development in Pennsylvania · pa.gov

    “Developers must bring their own power generation online or fully fund new generation to meet their needs”
    Gov Shapiro Releases Full GRID Standards to Protect Pennsylvanians

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · May 27, 2026 · pa.gov

    “they must meet strong standards on energy affordability, clean energy generation, transparency, workforce development, community impact, and environmental protection”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Proposes a Lightning Plan to reform energy permitting and siting and update alternative energy standards.In office

    Shapiro supports an "all of the above" approach including natural gas, nuclear and renewable generation.

    Gov Shapiro 2026–27 Budget Proposal to Keep Doing What's Working in Pennsylvania

    Public statement · Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania · Feb 3, 2026 · Leading the Way on Reliable, Affordable Energy · pa.gov

    “The budget advances the Governor’s Lightning Plan, reforming permitting and siting laws, updating Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards, and creating new energy generation projects”
    Report

Health & human services

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Josh Shapiro on them.

  • Government & transparencyNo documented position found.
  • Courts & justiceNo documented position found.

All sources (101)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.