Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity clashed Wednesday, Oct. 7, over data centers, Medicaid and school funding in the only gubernatorial debate of 2026.
The hour-long exchange in Harrisburg, hosted by Nexstar Media, was the first one-on-one Pennsylvania governor's debate since 2018, Central Bucks Now reported. ABC27's Dennis Owens and WPXI's Lisa Sylvester moderated. Each topic carried direct implications for Doylestown-area taxpayers.
Data centers: guardrails vs. a pause
Data center regulation dominated the opening exchange. Shapiro, 53, a Democrat seeking a second term, pointed to an executive order he signed in August. It requires developers to generate their own power, pay associated costs, protect air and water, and earn local support before the state will consider permits. He opposes a moratorium, which states like Texas and New York have enacted.
Garrity, 62, a retired U.S. Army Reserve officer in her second term as treasurer, called for a pause. She said she had spoken with township supervisors and community leaders who "want time to get their zoning updated." Pressed by Owens on how long a pause, Garrity said "as long as it takes" and added her private-sector background would speed the process, according to PhillyBurbs.
The issue hits home. Doylestown Township supervisors unanimously authorized a proposed data center zoning ordinance in August, starting a 180-day drafting process. New Britain Township took the same step. Neither municipality has received a data center application.
In Falls Township, Amazon's $1 billion data center campus was more than half built as of July, according to PhillyBurbs. It is the only data center approved in Bucks County.
Medicaid and healthcare
Shapiro said 500,000 Pennsylvanians will lose healthcare and 143,000 will lose food assistance under new federal requirements. He said rural hospitals will close and that he has sued the Trump administration over the changes.
Garrity countered that Medicaid spending is increasing, not shrinking. She supports requiring able-bodied adults without small children to work, attend school or volunteer 20 hours a week to receive benefits.
WHYY reported that nearly one-quarter of Pennsylvanians receive Medicaid coverage, including 37% of rural residents. State health advocates have warned about 310,000 residents could lose coverage under the new rules.
Education and school funding
Garrity said the state has spent $3 billion more on education since Shapiro took office, yet seven out of 10 eighth graders cannot read or do math at grade level, a figure supported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). She called for school choice: "I believe in school choice because parents, not bureaucrats, know the best way to educate their kids."
Shapiro said he has increased public school funding by 35%. He pointed to 1.7 million students receiving free breakfast and a 60% increase in vocational-technical enrollment. He said he would sign a school choice bill if both parties find common ground.
Closer to home, the Central Bucks School District approved a $460.4 million budget for 2026-2027 with a 5.7% property tax increase, adding about $344 to the average homeowner's bill, according to the Bucks County Beacon. Bucks County schools received $7.9 million in additional state funding this year, though about 90% went to Morrisville Borough School District, the Beacon reported.
Skill games
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled skill games illegal earlier in 2026 and gave the legislature 120 days to regulate them. Shapiro favors a 52% tax on the machines, the same rate as casino slot machines. Garrity wants a flat $500-per-month fee per machine, which she said would generate $300 million and protect VFWs, fire halls and small businesses.
A Philadelphia Inquirer/New York Times/Siena University poll released Sept. 24 showed Shapiro holding a 21-point lead over Garrity.
The last day to register to vote is Oct. 19. The deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 27. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
