If a government shuts down and no one feels it, does it make an impression?
That’s the question most of the state has been asking this summer as the budget impasse hasn’t really prompted any outrage. That is no longer the case.
As Marc Levy of the Associated Press reports, eight nonprofit groups are asking Harrisburg for much needed funding.
Among these organizations are: the United Way of Pennsylvania; The Arc of Pennsylvania; Hunger Free Pennsylvania; the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services.
The problems are widespread and affect every corner of the commonwealth.
For example, the Women’s Center of Beaver County no longer has enough cash to help abused and endangered women relocate.
“How many people have to be laid off? How many people have to lose services?” Executive Director Darlene Thomas asked.
Despite all these difficulties, though, the Governor and the legislature are still stalemated.
Whether developments like this push Harrisburg closer to a resolution as we approach the fall may be the biggest political question of the season.
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4 Responses
Actually, the General Assembly budget would have flatlined social services, locking in 10 percent cuts that’ve been in place since 2012. Social Service providers would rather see a budget that comprehensively funds critical service needs than one that’s filled with one-time ‘stopgap’ gimmicks. Unfortunately the Legislature chose to pass the same version of the budget that didn’t pass muster under the Corbett Administration, and refuses to consider necessary revenue streams. Some organizations will be able to weather the strain by taking on debt, but they’ll still be left holding the bag when it comes to the interest on that debt.
This is all on Governor Wolf. He vetoed an entire budget when he could have just line-itemed the things he didn’t like. Of course, he is playing politics the same way the Obama administration did when it shut down public roads around Mt. Rushmore so people couldn’t even drive by and see it. It’s called trying to inflict unnecessary pain on the public so they come to your side in the fight. These social service agencies should be calling House and Senate Dems and begging them to override the Governor’s veto. Problem for them: if they vote “yes” to override, their base gets mad. If they vote “no” they are now firmly on the raise the income tax, raise the sales tax Wolf plan…which they are terrified of. House and Senate Dems are probably wondering what Wolf got them into now.
Rob Wells, I’m not sure what you are referring to, but Wolf is the first governor in 40 years to veto an entire budget. The Republicans gave him more than he asked for in several instances, but instead of crossing out the bits he didn’t like, he vetoed it all. That’s why these groups are suffering.
The GOP Firewall.