State Republicans are skeptical that Governor Shapiro’s new state budget proposal is viable. The Democratic leader delivered his budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year Tuesday to a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate at the state Capitol. His higher education proposal includes 975-million-dollars for state universities and community colleges, which would also be combined into one system. Other funding points include economic development, plans for IT, agriculture and emerging technology fields and a big investment in public transportation. The 48-billion-dollar budget does not call for a tax increase. It’s extra proposals would be funded by three-billion dollars from the state’s cash reserve and revenue from legalizing adult-use marijuana.