Council urges timely state budget; amends resolution to ask legislators to refuse pay until budget passed

Northampton County Council on Oct. 3 approved a resolution urging the Pennsylvania House and Senate to finalize the 2026 state budget promptly and to remain in session until a budget is adopted.

During debate Councilmember Ron Heckman offered an amendment requesting that state legislators not accept pay until a state budget is passed; the amendment language was revised at the meeting to ask that legislators "not receive their pay" or that they refuse pay pending adoption of the state budget. After discussion the amendment passed (recorded vote 7–2 to amend), and the amended resolution was adopted by council by a recorded vote of 5–4.

Supporters of the resolution said delays in Harrisburg have immediate consequences for county operations and human-service funding, noting that other counties have borrowed to keep essential services running. Opponents said the measure was redundant with previous statements and questioned the efficacy of repeated symbolic resolutions. The resolution directs the council to urge the state legislature to prioritize and finalize a timely budget for the Commonwealth.