2015 – 2016 COMMONWEALTH BUDGET Media Coverage During the Budget Impasse

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January 11 Delaware County getting paid for human services and gets good bond rating MEDIA >> Delaware County officials have two things to celebrate. On Thursday, county officials

announced Delaware County received $33.6 million in funds from the Pennsylvania Treasury to pay human service providers, following a months-long dearth due to the state budget debacle... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

January 8 Berks County starting to see state money Reading, PA Berks County has started to receive some of the state aid that was held up during the extended state budget impasse. Ronald M. Rutkowski, first deputy county controller, told the commissioners during their Thursday meeting that Berks received about $21 million in... - Reading Eagle

State funds flowing, Montco cancels loan Montgomery County has canceled a planned $75 million loan and will resume paying human services vendors now that state funds are flowing. The partial spending plan signed by Gov. Wolf on Dec. 30 released crucial funds to schools and counties, but did not address questions of revenue and... - Philadelphia Inquirer Wolf drains farm funds, Cooperative Extension

HARRISBURG — Collateral damage from the state’s budget standoff is no longer focused at social

welfare groups. Wielding his line-item veto, Gov. Tom Wolf has now taken aim at agriculture programs, including the Cooperative Extension Service, held dear to many... - Sunbury Daily Item Greene County human services starting to receive state fund WAYNESBURG – Much-needed funding is finally trickling into Greene County Human Services

Department after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a partial state budget last month, but more problems remain on the horizon. The department has been starved for cash during the state budget impasse... - Washington Observer-Reporter

January 6 Money starts flowing from state, but no final deal yet ERIE, Pa. -- State money from the fiscal year that started July 1 is finally starting to flow into Erie County school districts, Erie County government and social-service agencies. But while they are getting much-needed relief, an end to a budget stalemate -- now in its seventh month -- between Gov. Tom Wolf and the... - Erie Times-News

January 5

Chester County: No word from state on withheld tax payments due to budget impasse WEST CHESTER >> The decision by the Chester County commissioners last month to stop remitting fees to the state government as a way of protesting the lack of a fully adopted state budget has been met with silence from the state, county officials said Monday.... - Phoenixville News

Chesco withholds $2.6M in tax payments during budget impasse WEST CHESTER>> The decision by the Chester County commissioners last month to stop remitting

fees to the state government as a way of protesting the lack of a fully adopted state budget has been

met with silence from the state, county officials said Monday. “I would have been the first to hear,” said county Recorder of... - Pottstown Mercury

January 4 Carbon eager to see state funds Officials want to know how partial budget approval will affect area programs By Chris Reber creber@tnonline.com Carbon County officials are eager to see how the portions of the state budget recently approved by Gov. Tom Wolf will affect programs that receive funding from the state.... -

Lehighton Times News Dauphin commissioner takes issue with budgeted human services funding The partial budget Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday leaves a lot to be desired for some county governments. Dauphin County commissioner George Hartwick explained why. Without money from the state, counties focus on the things they can control. That’s why Hartwick spent the day at Children

and Youth... - Carlisle Sentinel

Schools, counties get funding, but state budget stalemate continues Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania now has a partial budget halfway through its fiscal year. Funding is set to be issued for schools, counties and service agencies. That money has been held up during the six-month impasse, prompting layoffs and service cuts at agencies and threatening to shutter some schools.... - Reading Eagle

December 23 Budget delay may affect Tioga County districts’ ability to borrow money December 23, 2015 As the budget stalemate drags on, school districts may end up the big losers because of an unexpected consequence: the lowering of their credit ratings. more »» - Williamsport

Sun-Gazette

December 21 No state budget prompts Montco to borrow The Montgomery County commissioners last week authorized their administrators to borrow up to $75

million to keep the county financially afloat in the beginning of the year until county tax dollars begin

to roll in. They are not happy about this, blaming state lawmakers for the county's... - Levittown Intelligencer

Montgomery County may need a loan to pay bills if state budget impasse continues COURTHOUSE >> The continued absence of a state budget could force Montgomery County to take

out a loan to make payroll and debt service payments in the new year. Montgomery County Chief Financial Officer Uri Monson asked commissioners Thursday to authorize a tax revenue anticipation note, which would allow... - Norristown Times Herald

December 18 Montgomery County may need a loan to pay bills if state budget impasse continues COURTHOUSE >> The continued absence of a state budget could force Montgomery County to take out a loan to make payroll and debt service payments in the new year. Montgomery County Chief Financial Officer Uri Monson asked commissioners Thursday to authorize a tax revenue anticipation note, which would allow... - Norristown Times Herald

County foots $3 million worth of bills state should have paid

“The government passed a budget,” said Frank Byrd of Canton Township, who was in the audience as Washington County commissioners adopted a 2016 general fund spending plan of $85 million-plus. His remarks were met with applause. “And it was bipartisan, Republican... - Washington Observer-Reporter Forest County forced to take out tax note

Effects of the nearly six-month long budget impasse in Harrisburg continue to pop up across the state with the most recent instance coming from Forest County. County commissioners on Thursday

approved a motion to take out a $400,000 tax anticipation note to help pay for county expenses,

especially for its... - Oil City Derrick Greene County takes $4 million loan to fund human services

WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners took out a $4 million tax anticipation loan Thursday morning to fund the county’s human services department as it awaits state funding during the 5 1/2-month-long budget impasse. Of the total amount, $3 million will refund the county’s general fund... - Washington Observer-Reporter

December 16 Overdue state budget affecting county library system WILKES-BARRE — The longer the state budget impasse continues, the more the Luzerne County Library System will have to cut back on services, its administrator warned Tuesday. The system stopped its delivery service last week due to the lack of funding from the state, said Richard Miller, system administrator, in a... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader County aids struggling area agencies

December 16, 2015 Local human services agencies that are struggling to pay the bills because of a lack of a state budget are getting some much-needed assistance from Lycoming County. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

December 13 Pa. budget agreement unlikely to happen this weekend; schools, counties borrow nearly $1B Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Legislature appear headed for another week of grappling over how to end a five-month budget stalemate while pressure ratchets up on them amid growing social services layoffs, threats of school shutdowns and the looming end of the calendar year... - AP

Luzerne County to close on shutdown avoidance loan Monday Luzerne County officials plan to close Monday on a $20 million loan needed to prevent mass layoffs and service cuts due to state budget impasse funding delays, said county Chief Solicitor C. David Pedri. Pedri said the lenders and county council Chairwoman Linda McClosky Houck... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

December 10 Budget impasse trickles down to Armstrong libraries Some Armstrong County libraries will cut staff and hours if the state budget impasse continues into January. That's because the state funding that goes to public libraries is tied up until the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf pass a budget. The budget was due June 30, the same day Wolf, a Democrat,

vetoed the... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

December 9 Lancaster County commissioner decries 'unconscionable' state budget impasse as county prepares to borrow $35 million

Lancaster County is preparing to borrow as much as $35 million to meet payroll because of the failure of state lawmakers and the governor to agree on a budget. The move will cost taxpayers here tens of thousands of dollars in interest and bank fees and mark the first time since at least the 1980s the county... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

December 8 Lack of funding for social services impacts budget December 8, 2015 By JIM RUNKLE jrunkle@lockhaven.com LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County commissioners answered a number of questions about last week’s approval of a preliminary, $33.4 million budget for 2016. more »» - Lock Haven Express

Impasse affects human services Five months into the state budget impasse, the number of contractors for Butler County Human Services seeking county funds to stay in business remains steady. Joyce Ainsworth, Human Services

director, said about 13 or 14 contractors have asked for assistance. The department uses about 100

contractors to... - Butler Eagle

December 7 Berks County may join other counties in suing state over impasse Berks County isn't planning to wait quietly while Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf haggle over the state budget, delaying millions in aid due to the county. Berks has joined other counties in looking into suing the state through their statewide lobbying group, the County Commissioners Association of... - Reading Eagle

December 6 Monthslong budget impasse being felt in Centre, surrounding counties Money to do things that the government wants done in Pennsylvania is supposed to follow a prescribed course. By June 30, the state passes its budget for the fiscal year. Starting July 1, that

money trickles out to the school districts, the counties, the agencies doing the rubber-meets-the-road work of taking care of... - State College Centre Daily Times

December 4 County to state: No budget, no cash

The Chester County commissions on Thursday sent a message to state government officials in Harrisburg who have failed to pass a budget for the current fiscal year: The check is not in the mail. The three commissioners, two Republicans and one Democrat, voted... - West Chester Daily Local News Issues overshadow passage of county budget

County commissioners unanimously passed next year’s $65 million budget without a tax increase, but not without a few hiccups. Outgoing Commissioner Brian Beader said he would support the budget, but said he “argued unsuccessfully” to reduce employees and funding for... - SHARON Chester County To Stop Fronting Funds For State To Pay Critical Human Services Now in the sixth month of Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate, another county has announced they will no longer be able to front the money for the state to pay human services providers. Chester County

has been paying for services the state should be reimbursing... - KYW News Radio 1060

Budget impasse puts Westmoreland County in financial bind Westmoreland County may have to borrow as much as $10 million early next year to keep the government functioning should the state's budget impasse continue, commissioners said Thursday. The ongoing budget dispute between lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf for the past... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

December 3 Group may take legal action over impasse The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania is exploring legal options to end the five-month state budget impasse while local service providers and their clients are being urged to contact

state legislators as they are being most affected by the lack of funding.... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker State budget impasse leads Lackawanna County to increase borrowing Lackawanna County commissioners are preparing to borrow an additional $3 million to avoid major

service disruptions from a state budget deadlock that is now in its sixth month. Commissioners on

Wednesday held the first reading of an ordinance to borrow as much as $9.9 million under the routine tax anticipation note procedure... - Scranton Times Lechner: County doing best it can to provide services Though not in as dire shape as other counties across Pennsylvania, Mercer County is feeling the pain of the lingering budget impasse, dipping into nearly $4.5 million in reserves to cover the costs of needed services, particularly Children and Youth Services and the Behavioral Health... - SHARON

December 2 Erie County Library system to cut hours due to state budget impasse ERIE, Pa. -- Jud Sackett understands why the state budget stalemate -- now in its 155th day -- is

affecting Erie County's library system. That doesn't mean he likes it. "Reading is important to everybody, Sackett, a 76-year-old Waterford Township resident, said while searching for a novel by author Brad Thor... - Erie Times-News

December 1 Judge OKs $20M loan to keep Luzerne County government open WILKES-BARRE, Pa. A judge has signed off on a $20 million loan to keep a northeastern Pennsylvania county afloat while officials wait for a state budget impasse to end... - AP Pennsylvania Counties Look at Drastic Actions Against State Amid Budget Mess As Pennsylvania’s nearly sixth-month state budget impasse drags on, the commonwealth’s county governments continue to feel considerable fiscal pain. State funding for counties to administer human

services programs dried up this summer, forcing many local leaders to make uneasy financial... - Route Fifty

Officials: County cash drying up Some Butler County officials are worried about the county’s financial ability to pay all of its obligations this year, but other officials are not. Commissioner Jim Eckstein is afraid the county cannot make all of

its payments. “I’m saddened by it,” Eckstein said. “We have to make these... - Butler Eagle Cambria County officials decide not to sell unpaid tax claims EBENSBURG – As the state budget stalemate in Harrisburg continues, Cambria County’s commissioners are still holding off on the sale of delinquent tax claims for a revenue boost. The deadline for an approved budget was June 30, but legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf have been unable to find compromise – especially when it comes... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

November 30 Counties, fed up with state budget impasse, explore feasibility of withholding funds County commissioners and other officials in Pennsylvania gather annually after the election to discuss important matters, but rarely has a situation been as dire as the state budget impasse entering its

sixth month. Washington County Commissioner Harlan Shober, second vice president of the... - Washington Observer-Reporter County threatens to withhold $6.5 million in state funds amid budget standoff Members of Delaware County Council said they may have to resort to withholding $6.5 million in funds normally sent to Harrisburg and redirect it toward local human services if the state budget impasses continues. Gov. Tom Wolf’s press secretary, Jeff Sheridan, said Wolf is doing all... - Primos Delaware

County Daily and Sunday Times Leadership lesson for Harrisburg Minus leaders in state government committed to getting things done, the Bucks County Commissioners have stepped to the plate. Commendations to Rob Loughery, Charley Martin, both Republicans, and Democrat Diane Ellis-Marseglia for putting party labels aside and voting... -

Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

November 29 Some Pennsylvania counties may sue state over budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in

Harrisburg nears its sixth month... - AP Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania's cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in... - Erie Times-News

As budget impasse lingers, counties push back It seemed like an inevitable display of frustration after days of mixed messages from Harrisburg on the fate of the long-overdue state budget. On Wednesday morning, Delaware County officials called a

news conference to announce that they might stop sending payments to the state - and use the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

November 28 Will Pennsylvania counties withhold state cash?

The notion of a county withholding money from the state doesn't make any sense to Steve Chronister. And when it's several million dollars over six months from a nearly $500 million consolidated budget, he sees it as a drop in the bucket. Bucks County, one of the state's largest counties, says it collects between four million and… - York Daily Record

November 27 Gridlocked: Counties may withhold state taxes & fees (Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania's treasury may soon start to feel the effects of the state budget crisis.

Bucks County, one of the largest in the commonwealth, says it collects between $4 million and $5 million a month for the state. For now, it plans to hold on to most of that money. Northampton County has also talked about a similar move… - WITF.org

Litigation sought for budget funds The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is seeking action to end the budget impasse and “prevent future harm,” according to a release. During Wednesday's meeting, the Wayne County Commissioners provided an update from a CCAP conference they attended. “A lot of attention was given to the budget impasse,” stated Chairman Brian Smith… - Wayne Independent

November 26 Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and

at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - Daily Local News

Pennsylvania counties fight back against state's budget stalemate HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the state government's budget impasse nears its sixth month. The stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers has meant a lack of state funding for counties, school districts and

nonprofits, which in turn have… - WFMZ-TV Counties may sue Pennsylvania over budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - Herald-Mail Media

Impact of state budget stalemate lamented by Potter Co. commissioners COUDERSPORT — Commissioners in Potter County discussed the ongoing state budget impasse and a state association’s movement to draw attention to its impacts during their regular meeting held

Wednesday morning in Coudersport… - Bradford Era

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - WTAE.com

November 25

Delaware County services imperiled by state budget deadlock

Delaware County Council is growing increasingly alarmed about the impact of Pennsylvania’s five-month budget impasse on services to vulnerable populations, particularly at-risk children, the elderly and those with mental health issues. To protect its own budget and essential services, Delaware

County is urging the governor to release funding… - Delaware County

Luzerne County shutdown may be averted, proposed $20 million loan passes A Luzerne County shutdown may be averted because a council majority voted to borrow $20 million. Councilwoman Eileen Sorokas surprised many at Tuesday’s council meeting by voting for the loan because she did not support a similar loan last week. Five other council members voted for the loan: James Bobeck, Rick Morelli,... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

County council approves $20 million loan WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County government is staying open for business. A divided Luzerne County Council voted 6-5 on Tuesday night to take a $20 million loan from the state to avoid a government shutdown and cover the county’s operating expenses throughout the rest of the year.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice Smart Talk: Counties could sue PA over budget holdup So this is what it has come down to. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has directed its legal counsel to research whether counties can sue the state in an effort to force the

release the state federal funds owed to the counties for essential services. In the meantime, several counties are considering withholding millions of dollars… - WITF.org Bucks County to Harrisburg: You're officially cut off Budget-deadlocked Harrisburg is now officially cut off from Bucks County tax revenues. At noon Tuesday, county officials said they ceased sending some tax money and court fees to the

commonwealth in an act of protest over the state’s 147-day budget impasse. “We’ll keep the money until the [state] budget is passed or they... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times Montour County commissioners-elect witness decision on state budget impasse DANVILLE — Montour County Commissioners Elect-Ken Holdren and Dan Hartman witnessed the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania authorize its attorney to explore options to end the

current six-month state budget impasse and prevent future threats to key human services... -

Sunbury Daily Item County to Pennsylvania: No state budget, no tax payments DOYLESTOWN, Pa. Elected officials in a suburban Philadelphia county have turned the tables on state government, withholding all tax payments owed to Pennsylvania because state lawmakers and the governor have failed to reach agreement on a budget... - AP

Counties consider suing state for funds As York County continues to dip into its $20 million line of credit, the association that represents Pennsylvania counties is exploring legal options to get crucial funding released from the state as a budget impasse nears the five-month mark. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania gave its legal counsel... - York Dispatch

No sign state budget impasse will end soon HARRISBURG — A two-day whirlwind of accusations, counter-accusations and a threat to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a short-term spending bill yielded no firm assurances Tuesday night that

Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate would end soon... - AP PA County to ransom tax payments over budget deadlock DOYLESTOWN (AP) — Elected officials in a suburban Philadelphia county have turned the tables on

state government, withholding all tax payments owed to Pennsylvania because state lawmakers and the governor have failed to reach agreement on a budget... - AP

PA County to ransom tax payments over budget deadlock

DOYLESTOWN (AP) — Elected officials in a suburban Philadelphia county have turned the tables on state government, withholding all tax payments owed to Pennsylvania because state lawmakers and the governor have failed to reach agreement on a budget... - AP State budget impasse threatens Dauphin County Commissioners’ proposed no-tax-increase budget for 2016 HARRISBURG, PA (November 25, 2015) – The Dauphin County Commissioners proposed a $243 million preliminary budget for 2016 that increases spending by less than 1 percent and holds the line

on property taxes for the 11th straight year. But in looking at the increasing cost of paying for human services out of county reserves … - Dauphin County Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and

at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - PennLive

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real

estate transfer taxes and court fees… - Pittsburgh Sun Times As budget impasse lingers, counties push back It seemed like an inevitable display of frustration after days of mixed messages from Harrisburg on the fate of the long-overdue state budget. On Wednesday morning, Delaware County officials called a news conference to announce that they might stop sending payments to the state - and use the cash to fund local human services programs… - Philly.com

Dauphin County commissioners consider lawsuit, withholding revenue from state Dauphin County commissioners are considering withholding licenses, fees and tax revenue from the state until the state budget impasse is resolved. The action follows a motion unanimously approved by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania… - PennLive

November 24 Northampton County controller wants to withhold state revenues as the budget crisis drags on Northampton County Controller Stephen Barron has urged county officials to withhold the revenue it collects for the state as a budget impasse drags on in Harrisburg. About $220 million of the county's

$330 million budget comes from state and federal funds, money that cannot pass through while the... - Allentown Morning Call Pennsylvania counties authorize legal action to end budget stalemate HERSHEY — Pennsylvania counties on Monday authorized legal counsel to explore options to end the five-month state budget impasse and to prevent future threats to key human services programs

provided at the county level. County commissioners from across the state adopted a motion by Jeff Haste,... - Indiana Gazette Must someone sue to get a state budget?

THE ISSUE The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania voted Monday to look into suing state government for the release of state and federal funds for essential services such as “mental health, intellectual disability, drug and alcohol, older adult protective services, and especially child... -

Lancaster Intelligencer Journal Pennsylvania counties consider suing the state as budget delay drags on County commissioners across Pennsylvania want to send a message to Harrisburg about the protracted state budget stalemate pitting the Republican-dominated legislature against Democratic

Gov. Tom Wolf. That message is “enough is enough,” said Craig Lehman, Lancaster... - Lancaster

Intelligencer Journal November 23 Pennsylvania state budget impasse: counties may protest by keeping revenue owed state With cash running out because of Pennsylvania's five-month budget impasse, the Bucks County commissioners want to give the state a taste of its own medicine. They may keep up to $5 million a month that county offices routinely forward to state coffers in the way of real estate transfer taxes

and court... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

November 20 Westmoreland County's $42M surplus nearly gone A healthy surplus of nearly $42 million on the books four years ago is close to gone in a preliminary

budget released Thursday by Westmoreland County commissioners. The $310 million spending plan carries a $22.3 million deficit that would be covered by surplus funds — leaving the county with just $1.4 million... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

November 19 Fed up with Harrisburg, Bucks County could withhold state taxes, fees Take that, commonwealth. One hundred forty-one days into Pennsylvania's budget standoff, officials in Bucks County said they're fed up, running out of cash and prepared to start withholding tax money and fees destined for Harrisburg. Every month, Bucks collects between $4 million and $5 million in taxes and... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

November 18 County council votes down $20M borrowing plan WILKES-BARRE — Harry Haas was angry. He had a message for Gov. Tom Wolf. In the midst of Luzerne County Council’s discussion of $20 million of unfunded borrowing, the county councilman held his microphone close to his mouth and spoke loudly. “I want the governor to hear my voice. I hope this recording gets to... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

November 17 Luzerne County government will shut down unless it votes to borrow $20 million

Swetz Lawton Story Tools: Social Media: The entire Luzerne County government will shut down if the

county council doesn’t vote to borrow $20 million today, not just Children and Youth and other human service agencies impacted by the state budget impasse, officials said.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

November 16 Left With Few Fiscal Options, Another Pennsylvania Locality Turns to Borrowing

With cash flow from the state cut off due to an ongoing budget stalemate in Harrisburg between General Assembly lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf, a county in eastern Pennsylvania late last week moved to borrow as much as $50 million to shore up its finances in the coming months.... - Route Fifty

FULL STORY: State budget standoff protest organized by county Human Services

Dave Crowe and Mark Weindorf want Pennsylvania legislators to know the lack of a state budget is hurting people who need the most help. That's why Crowe and Weindorf are joining Crawford County Human Services for a Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Rally on Wednesday.... - Meadville Tribune Agencies, clients push need for state budget Officials from social service agencies throughout Fayette County told lawmakers Friday about having

to lay off care providers and write letters to vendors, telling them there was no money to pay their bills because of the state budget impasse. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

November 12 County beefs up tax anticipation note over PA budget concerns

DANVILLE — Montour County will take out a larger than usual tax anticipation note in case there is a

budget snafu next year in Pennsylvania. The commissioners Tuesday voted to seek interest quotes for

2016 for $1.2 million in anticipation of real estate tax revenues which aren’t... - Sunbury Daily Item County worries about payroll during state budget impasse

The Lawrence County controller is worried the county won't make payroll till the end of the year if the state budget impasse continues past Thanksgiving. The budget stalemate has caused the county to use $1.7 million of its general fund tax money to pay for necessary state-funded expenses for... - New Castle News Nonprofits outraged as funding dries up from budget impasse Norristown >> Belt-tightening, taking out lines of credit, bringing toilet paper to the office from home

— these are some of the things social service agencies have had to do to get by during the state’s five-month budget stalemate. And it’s about to get worse.... - Lansdale Reporter Pennsylvania social service agencies struggle as budget crisis continues GETTYSBURG, Pa. — As Pennsylvania marks its 135th day today without an enacted state budget, the

impact is being felt most severely at social service agencies that rely on state funding to help serve

families in crisis, children, the disabled, the elderly and a range of other people in... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Luzerne County may seek $20M loan amid state budget stalemate WILKES-BARRE — In Luzerne County, and all across the state, officials are pointing to Harrisburg. The state budget impasse means the county might seek a $20 million loan to pay some employees and

vendors and to make debt payments on time. The state owes the county about $22 million for county services that need... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

November 9 Schuylkill keeps agencies funded during budget impasse

Latest loan brings total borrowed from county to $788,000 By Chris Parkercparker@tnonline.com As the state budget impasse reached its 128th day Thursday, Schuylkill County commissioners loaned its Office of Senior Services an additional $168,000 to help make ends meet.... - Lehighton Times News Montco finished bailing out the state

After shelling out more than $30 million over four months to make up for lost state funding and enable county social service agencies to continue their vital work of helping those in need, Montgomery

County has said “enough.” Last week, on the recommendation of county Chief... - Levittown Intelligencer

November 8 County borrows up to $50M to pay bills amid budget stalemate

Pennsylvania's budget impasse is coming home to roost. Northampton County Council on Thursday night endorsed borrowing up to $50 million to pay bills that won't be able to be paid because of state lawmakers' inability to approve a 2015-16 budget. County administrators say Northampton County will not have enough money to... - Easton Express-Times

November 6 County draws from general fund for human services Another month without a state budget, Schuylkill County again has to draw from its unrestricted general fund to continue providing human services. The county commissioners approved a budget

resolution Wednesday borrowing $168,000 to fund the Office of Senior Services through November. Wednesday... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker Human service providers lose funding in Montgomery County COURTHOUSE >> After months of footing the state’s bill for human services, Montgomery County announced Thursday that it has to stop paying providers. The county had spent more than $30 million that would have been reimbursed by state funds. “It’s not a situation any of us want to be in,” said county CFO... - Norristown Times Herald

Crisis point nears for payments amid impasse

LOCK HAVEN - When will it end? With no state budget curtailing payments from Harrisburg, the impact on Clinton County's government services and support systems was subject of an extended conversation accompanying an otherwise brief meeting Thursday. The post-election discussion

included local businessman and supporter of... - Lock Haven Express Northampton County prepared to borrow $50 million as state budget impasse lingers The four-month-long budget impasse in Harrisburg forced Northampton County Council on Thursday to authorize Executive John Brown to borrow up to $50 million. As Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature have locked horns over the Democrat's tax plan, counties and school districts across... - Allentown Morning Call

Montco stops covering state's bills Montgomery County stopped funding Thursday human services normally covered by the state, saying the four-month budget impasse had maxed out the county's financial reserves. "Unfortunately, we just can't continue," Finance Director Uri Z. Monson told the county commissioners. "We need to stop paying, effective now."... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Montgomery commissioners halt subsidies for human services, call on state to pass budget Montgomery County will no longer cover for the state's inability to pass a budget by reimbursing county social service agencies. The commissioners on Thursday reluctantly made that decision, which takes effect immediately, based on the recommendation of county Chief Financial... - Levittown Intelligencer

November 5 County Council delays vote on $30 million credit line ERIE, Pa. -- A $30 million line of credit to help pay county bills -- borrowing that relates to the ongoing state budget impasse -- is on hold for now. Erie County Council, at a special meeting Wednesday, decided to table three ordinances related to County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper's

borrowing... - Erie Times-News

November 4 Erie County could furlough workers if state budget impasse drags on

ERIE, Pa. -- Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper's administration is talking about putting unpaid

furloughs in place for some of the county's roughly 1,200 employees if the state budget impasse does not end soon. A furlough means that the county would mandate that workers take a certain... - Erie Times-News

November 3 Council holds first reading on $30 million credit line The state's budget impasse drags on, and Erie County Council is two weeks closer to a agreeing to a $30 million line of credit to help pay county bills. County Council on Monday night held a first reading on an ordinance that would approve the credit line from First National Bank, requested by Erie... - Erie Times-News

October 30 Franklin County could run until March without state budget CHAMBERSBURG >> Franklin County operations continue to ride out the state budget stalemate in Harrisburg. County Administrator John Hart said the county has enough cash on hand to operate its

human services programs for 95 days before reaching into $7.8 million that commissioners set aside

from the sale of the county nursing... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

October 26 State budget woes deepen for counties HARRISBURG — County leaders across the state are scrambling to provide human services amid the

nearly five-month loss of state aid as Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate continues. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, or CCAP, summarizes on its website — www.pacounties.org — county officials’ actions... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

State budget woes deepen HARRISBURG — County leaders across the state are scrambling to provide human services amid the nearly five-month loss of state aid as Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate continues. The County

Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, or CCAP, summarizes on its website — www.pacounties.org — county officials’ actions... - Scranton Times

October 23 County: Impact imminent from budget impasse

October 23, 2015 By JIM RUNKLE jrunkle@lockhaven.com LOCK HAVEN — The impact of the state budget on Clinton County’s most vulnerable citizens is imminent, according to the Clinton County Commissioners. more »» - Lock Haven Express Help sought for human services Butler County will seek a line of credit to help its human services contractors who are struggling due

to a lack of a state budget. The county commissioners Wednesday voted to issue a request for proposal for short-term financing to assist the contractors and providers who... - Butler Eagle

Cambria approves $11.6M loan October 23, 2015 With no foreseeable end to the state budget stalemate, Cambria County commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Thursday allowing the county to take a private $1. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Local counties running out of money for human services, payroll during Pa. budget impasse Craig Lehman has been on the other side of this. The Lancaster County commissioner spent 15 years as a state House budget analyst. Now, the Democrat is tasked with keeping the lights on in the county southeast of Harrisburg, as Pennsylvania wraps up its fourth month without... - Harrisburg Patriot-News Dahlkemper: county might need to borrow up to $30 million soon because of state budget stalemate ERIE, Pa. -- Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper has spent plenty of time recently thinking about multimillion-dollar worst-case scenarios, primarily because of a state budget stalemate with no end in

sight. The inability of the governor and state Legislature to strike a budget deal... - Erie Times-News Cambria County scrambling to pay bills as state budget deadlock continues EBENSBURG – As the state budget continues to stall in Harrisburg, the Cambria County Commissioners approved an ordinance and bank proposal Thursday to secure nearly $12 million for the lack of state funding since July. The commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing a loan for... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

October 22 York County secures $20 million loan in light of state budget impasse The uncertainty over when the state will pass a budget has forced York County to pursue a $20 million line of credit. The county revealed earlier this month that it has been "back-filling" some services

traditionally funded through state money with its own general... - York Daily No good Pa. budget news for Bucks commissioners PERKASIE Like counties throughout the state, Bucks County is facing intense budget pressure due to

the state budget impasse in Harrisburg. So far, the county has been spending between $6 million and

$7 million per month to keep afloat social service programs that are usually funded by the... - Philadelphia Inquirer Pa. budget impasse forces York County to open $20M line of credit York County commissioners approved opening a multi-million dollar line of credit to keep operations going through the end of the year as the state budget impasse reached its 113th day on

Wednesday. All three commissioners voted at their weekly meeting to borrow up to $20... - York Dispatch

Budget impasse may cut social programs in Bucks Bucks County may cut funding for child-protective services, local senior centers and Meals on Wheels

programs in December unless lawmakers in Harrisburg can pass a long-overdue state budget. One hundred and fourteen days into Pennsylvania's budget stalemate, Bucks... - Levittown Intelligencer

October 21 Somerset County establishes line of credit for agency as state budget impasse continues

The Somerset County commissioners decided Tuesday to establish a line of credit of up to $180,000 a month for the Area Agency on Aging for three months. "Except for a small amount given to the agency by the county ($38,000 annually), Area on Aging Agency relies solely on state funding,"... - Somerset Daily County commissioners assess state budget impasse

A Lawrence County commissioner said the county’s funds will stretch to the end of the year. But unless the state budget impasse is resolved by then, the county could be facing troubles in January and thereafter. “We’ve continued to monitor our cash flow,” by slowing down... - New Castle News

October 20 York County commissioner candidates on state budget impasse Five candidates — two Democrats, two Republicans and an independent — are vying for three open seats on the York County Board of Commissioners in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election. Candidates are Republicans Chris Reilly, an incumbent, and Susan Byrnes, a health activist; Democrats Doug Hoke, an incumbent, and Henry Nixon, a York... - York Dispatch

As budget impasse continues, Wayne County officials announce possible cutbacks, stoppages If the budget impasse in Harrisburg continues into December, elderly residents in Wayne County will feel the effects first. Commissioners there announced Monday that they and the county Human Services Agency are planning reductions or shutdowns of services provided... - Scranton Times

October 16 State budget impasse forces Montour County to borrow $500G

DANVILLE — Without Montour County borrowing up to $500,000 because the state budget stalemate has halted reimbursements, ill residents who depend on needed transportation could die, county Commissioner Trevor Finn said Thursday. “My biggest worry is dialysis patients who could perish within a... - Sunbury Daily Item

State budget impasse hurting Cameron County EMPORIUM — The Cameron County Commissioners have held several meetings with local agencies to discuss issues surrounding the state budget impasse and its effects on operations. The commissioners met with staff from the Cameron County Family Center, Children and Youth Services and other local service providers over the past... - Bradford Era

Harrisburg gridlock impacting local services WAYNE COUNTY – The Wayne County commissioners expect to meet today with the administrator of the county's human services department to discuss what affect the ongoing state budget impasse will have on operations. The budget gridlock in Harrisburg could eventually impact hours at the... - Honesdale Wayne Independent

October 15 Judge approves Cambria request to borrow $12 million to offset gap from state budget stalemate; DCED sign-off needed EBENSBURG – Cambria County is one step closer to borrowing $12 million to cover shortfalls created by the state budget impasse. President Judge Timothy P. Creany approved the request after a

hearing Wednesday in Cambria County court. “This impasse in Harrisburg is a surprise to all of us,” Creany... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Without state aid, the local stress is building

Months without financial aid from Harrisburg - and no sign the spigot will flow again soon - is starting to wear on officials and agencies across the region. Through this month, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties have shelled out more than $70 million from reserves to keep

critical social... - Philadelphia Inquirer

October 14 State budget impasse could affect drug and alcohol services BELLEFONTE — While Centre County continues to weather a 100-plus-day budget impasse, providers

serving multiple counties may soon start feeling the crunch. County commissioners approved a contract renewal Tuesday between the county Drug and Alcohol department and Pyramid Healthcare Inc. to provide drug and... - State College Centre Daily Times

October 13 Uncertainty at state level makes 2016 budget planning difficult for county leaders The lack of a 2015 state budget has Crawford and Pennsylvania's other 66 counties struggling to manage the impacts of delayed state payments while at the same time trying to prepare their own

2016 budgets. Due to the state budget impasse, it's unknown at this point if the county... - Meadville Tribune

Cumberland County withholding payment to service providers, starting hiring freeze in wake of budget impasse Cumberland County is starting a hiring freeze, withholding payment from some human services providers, cutting off non-emergency overtime, and immediately suspending new capital expenses. All of this, according to a county news release, is thanks to the ongoing... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

October 9 Budget impasse hits home in Schuylkill Commissioners loan money to two agencies By Chris Parkercparker@tnonline.com Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday loaned two human services agencies a total of $620,000 to pay bills until the state impasse ends. The Children and Youth Services agency borrowed the lion’s share,... - Lehighton Times News

Berks County commissioners to hear Pennsylvania budget tiff woes They will use part of their public meeting next week to hear about the impasse's impact on county departments and service contractors. Reading Eagle | Berks County Commissioners, from left, Mark C. Scott, Christian Y. Leinbach and Kevin S. Barnhardt - Reading Eagle

October 8 York County Human Services hard hit by budget impasse York County is prepared to borrow up to $20 million to cover salaries and operating costs if Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers cannot agree on a state budget. County administrator Mark Derr updated the county commissioners on the county's financial condition at Wednesday's commissioners meeting.... - York Daily

‘Pushed us to the brink’: Cambria County seeks permission to pay bills with $12 million loan during state budget impasse EBENSBURG — Cambria County officials are looking to join a large number of state-funded entities that are seeking loans to help them pay bills and stay afloat through the end of the year, according to

a petition filed by the county’s solicitor Wednesday afternoon.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Pa. budget stalemate drains Bucks County's savings Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate could soon leave Bucks County with no cash in the bank, its chief operating officer, Brian Hessenthaler, said Wednesday. In a rare show of emotion, Hessenthaler used Wednesday's county commissioners meeting in Warminster as a springboard to rail against... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

October 7

Lehigh Valley counties weather Harrisburg budget impasse – for now

Lehigh Valley counties have weathered the ongoing Pennsylvania budget impasse better than many of their peers across the state. Neither Lehigh nor Northampton counties has had to borrow money, freeze payments to vendors or consider layoffs as state and federal funding... - Allentown Morning Call

County borrows $5M to pay bills SUNBURY — Due to the state budget impasse, Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi announced Tuesday that the county has borrowed $5 million to pay its bills until the end of the year. At the beginning of the commissioners’ meeting, Clausi said, “We... - Shamokin News-Item County commissioners respond to state budget impasse by delaying payments

The Somerset County commissioners decided Tuesday to delay payments to all placement providers because of the state budget impasse, which has entered its fourth month. The decision is retroactive to Oct. 1. - Somerset Daily County officials 'very troubled' over Harrisburg inaction Montgomery County's elected officials agreed Thursday to cover the state's bills for another month --

but not without expressing growing anger that the counties, schools, and other organizations who rely

on state funding do not appear to be a consideration in the now four-month-long budget impasse.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

October 6 Montco, Bucks continue paying for social services Montgomery County will continue to front funds to make sure agencies that provide human services to county residents get paid through October. But county officials are growing increasingly frustrated with state lawmakers’ inability to hammer out a state budget that would free state... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

October 2 County officials 'very troubled' over Harrisburg inaction Montgomery County's elected officials voted Thursday to cover the state's bills for another month -- but not without expressing growing anger that the counties, schools, and other organizations who rely on state funding do not appear to be a consideration in the now four-month-long budget impasse.... -

Philadelphia Inquirer

October 1 County prepping for prolonged budget impasse Pennsylvania has been without a budget for three months and Cumberland County is feeling the pinch. But, if the logjam in Harrisburg is not broken soon, the county may need to take more drastic

measures. “It’s because we have that fund balance at that level, it is the... - Carlisle Sentinel With no state budget, Dauphin County paid $6.6M in three months to mental health providers Without a state budget, Dauphin County has been paying $2.2 million a month from its general fund to keep mental health service providers afloat. So far, that's added up to $6.6 million, said Dan

Eisenhauer, director of Dauphin County's mental health and intellectual disabilities program.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News For now, county services continue despite state impasse

Suspending programs like drug rehabilitation and mental health services is a nightmare scenario for the Lackawanna County Department of Human Services if the state budget impasse drags out too long. “It’s frightening,” department Executive Director William Browning said. “If it gets to the point

where we can’t fund... - Scranton Times AAA reeling from budget impasse With state legislators battling over the budget, the Bradford/Sullivan/ Susquehanna Area Agency on Aging has been seemingly left behind. The agency has not received state funds since July 1, when Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Republican-authored $30.2 billion budget. The... - Towanda Daily Review

September 30 Effects of budget stalemate felt by some in Centre County BELLEFONTE — As the state budget impasse heads into a fourth month, the effects creep ever closer to Centre County. Commissioners approved eight contracts Tuesday between county adult services and various entities that provide services such as casework, housing and rent assistance to the residents of Centre County. In each... - State College Centre Daily Times Centre covers services until budget passes

September 30, 2015 By LAKESHIA KNARR lbauman@lockhaven. more »» - Lock Haven Express

September 29 York County Commissioner Steve Chronister proposes mediation to end state budget impasse

The President of the York County Board of Commissioners on Monday proposed professional mediation as a way to fix the budget stalemate that is in its 90th day in Harrisburg. Commissioner Steve Chronister said that York County would need a state budget by Nov. 1 before the county might have

to make some of "the tough... - York Daily

September 25 'We're strapped' County commissioners discuss state budget crisis at meeting As a state budget impasse continues in Harrisburg, Cambria County Commissioners announced Thursday that they may have to take out a loan to keep the county running until a budget is finalized. During the commissioners’ regular meeting Thursday evening at Westmont... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

State’s budget dispute impacts county government September 25, 2015 By JIM RUNKLE jrunkle@lockhaven.com LOCK HAVEN — The fiscal gridlock in Harrisburg is being felt in the county-government-owned Garden Building in Lock Haven. more »» - Lock Haven Express

September 23 'Pretty serious pretty quick': Cumberland County may cut services if there's no budget by

November If there's no state budget by Nov. 1, Cumberland County might be forced to shutter some of its services. Right now, the county receives 46 percent of funding for all of its from the state. Some departments, particularly human services agencies — which includes things like children and youth

services and the drug and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News State budget worries county September 23, 2015 HOLLIDAYSBURG — Social service agencies working with Blair County are becoming concerned about the lack of state money, commissioners said Tuesday. more »» - Altoona Mirror

County feeling pinch of state budget impasse MIFFLINTOWN - The budget impasse that has been dragging on in Harrisburg since mid-summer is beginning to take a serious toll on Juniata County's ability to provide state-mandated services and more. - Lewistown Sentinel

September 22 Human services may be scaled back CARLISLE – The state has gone 83 days without a budget. If we go 39 more, until November, Cumberland County Human Services may have to be scaled back. That includes departments like Children and Youth Services, Drug and Alcohol programs, Aging and Community Services, and Mental Health and... - Carlisle Sentinel

September 21 Schools, counties borrowing to pay bills amid deadlock HARRISBURG – With the governor’s expected to veto a Republican-crafted, short-term state spending

plan, a resolution to the showdown over the state budget seems weeks or months away. School districts, local governments and social service agencies that still aren’t getting money needed to pay the bills are turning to banks for... - Sharon Herald

September 18 Price of budget impasse: Franklin County will continue services, but may borrow money CHAMBERSBURG >> Franklin County Commissioners indicated Thursday that they are willing to borrow money rather than uproot services to the needy because of Pennsylvania's boggy budget negotiations. The county is spending $1.5 million a month from local taxes to shore up... - Chambersburg Public Opinion Lawrence County, Ellwood schools not yet feeling pinch of state budget delay

When the state Legislature and then-Gov. Edward Rendell could not agree on a budget in June -- or July, August or September -- of 2009, it contributed to havoc in the Lawrence County Government

Center. The county, sorely in need of the money that comprised more than 70 percent... - Beaver County Times Cameron County Commissioners discuss state budget problems

EMPORIUM — The Cameron County Commissioners discussed the ongoing state budget impasse during a meeting held on Thursday. A staff member from the office of state Rep. Matt Gabler, R-DuBois, spoke recently to area officials, saying that progress on the budget is not... - Bradford Era

September 17 Local agencies deal with effects of state budget impasse The Adams County Solicitor's office is evaluating the "legal parameters" in assisting local nonprofits due to the lack of funding from the state's budget impasse, commissioners said during the work session Wednesday. Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually said the county solicitor's office... - Gettysburg Times Behavioral health agency will use ‘refundable grant’ due to budget impasse

The first agency within Washington County government to run out of money since the state budget impasse began July 1 has asked the commissioners to approve a stopgap measure so that it can continue to serve the public. Behavioral Health and Developmental Services deals with mental health,... - Washington Observer-Reporter PA Budget Impasse Increasingly Affecting Seniors Pennsylvania's budget impasse has now been going for about two and a half months, and it's starting

to impact some of the state's most vulnerable residents… - 90.5 WESA

September 16 Loan needed to sustain agency during state budget problems The Elk and Cameron Counties’ Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MH/ MR) program is out of

funds due to the ongoing state budget stalemate and is seeking a $750,000 loan with the county’s blessing, officials have announced. The announcement was made at Tuesday’s meeting of the Elk County... - Bradford Era

Elk County Commissioners OK loan to keep agency afloat RIDGWAY — During a brief Elk County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, the board agreed to support

a loan request to keep an area agency afloat. The three commissioners unanimously approved a motion to support a resolution authorizing Cameron Elk MH/MR to apply for a $750,000 loan from... - DuBois Courier-Express

September 11 Budget Stalemate Continues, Montgomery County To Provide Funds For Programs NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — Montgomery County will continue to front money to programs that are

reimbursed by the state, though county officials caution that could get more difficult come next

month. “Through the end of August we are approximately 21-million dollars... - KYW News Radio 1060 Montgomery County continues funding social services during PA budget impasse

Montgomery County will continue paying those who provide human services to needy county residents through this month but that could change if the state has not adopted its budget by October. To date, the county has paid out $21 million in human service funds it has... - Levittown Intelligencer Cambria County considers taking loan Lengenfelder says commissioners may borrow between $8M and $12M EBENSBURG - With state budget talks at a standstill, Cambria County officials said they're considering a loan, possibly upward

of $10 million, to avoid a government shutdown. - Altoona Mirror Montgomery County to fund human services through September NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County will continue to pay its human service contractors through September while state lawmakers continue negotiations over the 2015-16 budget, the board of commissioners announced Thursday. “Here in Montgomery County, a good chunk of the services we

provide in... - Norristown Times Herald

Squeeze of state budget impasse tightens CareerLink, Children and Youth funding questioned - Lock Haven Express Nonprofits in York County continue to feel state budget impasse pinch Almost immediately after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Republican-drafted state budget at the end of

June, some York County-run service agencies stopped paying contracted service providers because of the lack of incoming state funding. More than two months after the budget impasse started, invoices from... - York Dispatch

September 10 Gabler discusss state budget impasse with county commissioners By Jeff Corcino Staff Writer Rep. Matt Gabler, R-DuBois, told the Clearfield County Commissioners that he hopes the state will pass a budget - whether it is a stop-gap budget or a permanent budget - by the end of this month. Gabler gave the commissioners an update of the budget impasse at their... - Clearfield Progress

September 9 State budget crisis: Somerset County spends $3 million helping agencies; some borrowing to fund programs SOMERSET - Since the beginning of July, Somerset County taxpayers have covered for a lack of funding from the state budget so human service agencies, such as those that assist those with mental

health problems and those that provide services to the elderly, can continue to operate.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

September 8 County looks to develop funding plan amid state budget stalemate Three months into the Pennsylvania budget impasse, Schuylkill County officials may soon have to develop a contingency plan to continue funding agency services if a state budget is not in place by the end of September. Through the first two months of the impasse, Schuylkill County had... - Pottsville

Republican and Evening Herald

September 2 State’s budget impasse affecting human services in Elk County More than 60 days into the state’s budget impasse, Elk County human services are starting to feel the impact. At the Elk County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning, Elk County Children & Youth Services Director Nancy Baker said that since July 1, when the new fiscal year began without a budget

in place, the department has not... - DuBois Courier-Express

FULL STORY: County commissioners have backup plan to handle state budget impasse

In light of the Pennsylvania state budget impasse, the Crawford County Commissioners were presented during Tuesday morning's work session with a backup plan to handle future county operating costs. The plan is an agreement that can be enacted at any point in the coming... -

Meadville Tribune Franklin County spends $3 million of local taxes while waiting on state budget Franklin County has dipped more than $3 million from its reserves since July to help the homeless, needy, intellectually disadvantaged, mentally ill, old and young. The county commissioners will sit down with their staff in the next week or two to see how they can continue to provide human services in the absence... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

August 27 Budget divide hits home: Lancaster County commissioners impose hiring freeze as Pennsylvania budget impasse drags on

The Lancaster County commissioners Wednesday imposed a hiring freeze on non-critical positions and said more drastic cost-control measures may be needed if the state budget impasse drags on. Those

measures could include furloughs, work-week reductions, or borrowing,... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

August 26 County funding state programs during budget stalemate With the state still in a budget impasse, Somerset County officials are using reserve funds to pay bills normally provided by the commonwealth. Counties are floating the state, Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said Tuesday during a Somerset County commissioners meeting.... - Somerset Daily State budget impasse puts local service agencies in peril

needs," said Mercer County Fiscal Administrator John Logan, referring to the 58-day-old budget impasse that is likely to fray if not break safety nets for those in need. Speaking at a Mercer County Commissioners meeting Wednesday, Logan said the county still is able to meet its payroll and vendor obligations, but only... - Sharon Herald

August 25 Lancaster County is paying state's share of human services expenses ... but the money's running out The Lancaster County government’s Health & Human Services operation has more than 400 in-house employees. Normally, the state provides the majority of the money that funds their work, but without a state budget, the money isn’t coming in. “Right now, we’re covering 100 percent of the cost” of salary,... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

August 21 Budget impasse affecting Delco providers Human-service providers across Delaware County called on Gov. Wolf on Thursday to release funding for their programs amid the continuing budget standoff in Harrisburg. It has been more than 50 days

since a budget was due, and county service providers that rely on state funding are feeling the pinch, they said at a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

August 20 County meeting its obligations, despite Pa. budget impasse

MERCER COUNTY – As Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican legislators continue haggling over the state's $30 billion budget, local officials are not yet concerned about the impact on area social service programs. Mercer County's Fiscal Director John Logan said the county is "good for a... - Sharon Herald August 19 Montgomery County, state officials put a face on social services funding crisis POTTSTOWN >> The personal impact that is looming for human services in Montgomery County was palpable Monday morning at First United Methodist Church. Politicians, advocates and those who

depend on those services were gathered to hear Ted Dallas, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department

of Human... - Norristown Times Herald August 14 Elderly feeling effects of state budget impasse The on-going state budget impasse has affected many counties in our area. County leaders said they need that state money, and if they don’t get it soon, many services will be delayed or cut

completely. It’s been 44 days since the governor vetoed the budget. Now change is... - Carlisle Sentinel August 12 Montour chiefs rip pols over stalemate DANVILLE — Montour County Commissioner Jack Gerst is fed up with a General Assembly and governor whose six-week standoff over the 2015-16 state budget is jeopardizing senior citizens, the hungry and children in his municipality. “We keep electing people doing the same thing over and over again,”... - Sunbury Daily Item

August 11 Pa. budget impasse impacts county investments As the Pennsylvania budget remains at an impasse, financial officers are starting to eye their books and how long they can survive the stalemate. While county governments and school boards around the state are often able to cover the missing funds from the state’s budget for the time being,... -

Pottstown Mercury

Montgomery County will pay for human services through August NORRISTOWN >> For the next month, at least, the county will continue to pay its human service contractors without reimbursements from the state because of the ongoing budget impasse in Harrisburg. At their meeting last Thursday, the Montgomery County Commissioners agreed... -

Norristown Times Herald

Montco to prop up state social service payments for another month For the second month in a row, Montgomery County commissioners will underwrite some social service

programs for the next month while the state budget battle continues in Harrisburg. Because it did not receive a $28 million to $30 million quarterly payment from the state, the county will use about $14

million of its money to pay... - Levittown Intelligencer

August 7 Missed opportunities: Pennsylvania budget impasse hurts county investments As the Pennsylvania budget remains at an impasse, financial officers are starting to eye their books

and how long they can survive the stalemate. While the Berks County government and school boards around the state are often able to cover the missing funds from the state’s budget for the... - Norristown Times Herald Berks commissioner Christian Leinbach says state GOP's budget has at least 1 major flaw

Pennsylvania's Republican Legislature did its job by getting a budget to Gov. Tom Wolf by the June 30 deadline. But how good a budget >>>>Continue - Reading Eagle

August 5 Budget impasse is holding up key fix to prescription drug abuse

As the deadly toll from heroin use and prescription drug abuse continues to rise, a program expected to help save lives remains in limbo. That is because the $2.1 million necessary to implement the controlled substances database authorized in October 2014 will come from the state... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

August 4 Somerset County developing plan for state budget stalemate As the budget impasse continues in Harrisburg, counties across the state are looking at how to fund

state-mandated human service programs — without state funding. Somerset County Commissioner

Pamela Tokar-Ickes is in Pittsburgh at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania annual conference to get... - Somerset Daily

Social services to feel pain of budget gridlock For Pennsylvania’s social-services agencies, the current state budget impasse between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-dominated legislature is something they've seen before. “I am really not happy to be going through this again,” said Susan Blue, president and CEO of Community Services Group.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

August 3 Budget impact cost weighed HARRISBURG — With no sign of a bipartisan budget deal on the horizon in the Capitol, social service providers statewide may cut discretionary spending, borrow to meet expenses and lay off employees temporarily. The Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, which provides services to... - Scranton

Times

Budget impasse affecting top health crisis in Pennsylvania, physician general says As heroin, opiates and prescription drug abuse continue to kill thousands of Pennsylvanians, the state budget impasse is holding up a solution to what the physician general calls the biggest health crisis in the commonwealth. One of the most common problems in battling the addiction is... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

August 2 Pa. social services brace for budget stalemate damage For the third time in a dozen years, counties and nonprofit agencies that make up Pennsylvania's social services safety net are girding to pay the price of partisan deadlock in Harrisburg... - AP

July 30 Budget impasse withholding $7 million from county human services programs Delaware County officials said Wednesday that funding for the county’s human services programs will run dry next month if Republicans and Gov. Tom Wolf don’t come to terms on a budget agreement

soon. The county is poised to receive $7 million in state funding.... - Primos Delaware County Daily

and Sunday Times Democratic leaders warn of consequences if Pennsylvania budget impasse isn't resolved Allegheny County will run out of state money to fund a variety of human services by the end of August if the state budget impasse isn’t resolved, county Executive Rich Fitzgerald said Wednesday. Speaking

at a gathering of Democratic state lawmakers at the courthouse,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Feeling Pinch of a Late State Budget Feeling pinch of a late state budget - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 29 Nursing homes watching Pennsylvania budget impasse Publicly owned nursing homes like Cedarbrook and Gracedale may start to feel the pinch if the budget showdown between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in the state Legislature lingers a few more weeks. Wolf acknowledged last week that counties may have to borrow to bankroll... - Allentown Morning Call

Budget pinch hits counties soon County officials are bracing for delays in state payments that help fund important human service programs starting next month because of the lengthening Pennsylvania budget stalemate.? The delays primarily will affect services for mental health, intellectual... - Scranton Times School districts, local governments cast eye toward budget impasse

The calendar might say July, but Washington School District business manager Rick Mancini is thinking of Christmas. And it’s not because visions of sugarplums dance in his head. They’re more like

nightmarish flashbacks to Christmas 2003, when then-Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s two-pronged

approach to the state... - Washington Observer-Reporter

July 26 Wolf acknowledges service providers may have to borrow money HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf acknowledged Friday that nonprofit social services providers may have to borrow money during the state budget stalemate, but he said they should share his broader goal of doing the right thing for Pennsylvania... - AP

July 24 Social service agencies should push to protect state funding during budget impasse A former longtime state legislator urged local human services providers on Thursday to use the state’s budget impasse as an opportunity to push for lasting improvements in the funding of such services. Allen Kukovich, who served 27 years in the General Assembly, told an... - Pittsburgh Post-

Gazette

July 23 Armstrong agencies keeping close watch on state budget woes A pair of social agencies in Armstrong County are working to ensure services won't be interrupted if a

state budget isn't adopted soon. The Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging, and Children, Youth & Family Services, which rely on state funding to provide services for senior... - Kittanning Leader-Times

July 21 Head Start program canceled because of state budget impasse

The state budget impasse has caused the Head Start kindergarten transition program in Armstrong County to be canceled because of a lack of funding. “There's no money to pay our teachers, order materials, books or buy food,” said Head Start Director Betsy Crytzer of the Armstrong County... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The costs of budget stalemate survival

Local state congressmen say the budget deadlock in Harrisburg is not likely to be resolved by the end of the month, leaving many human service agencies and school districts that rely on state funding financially vulnerable. By Mike Tony - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Is state budget impasse affecting you? Share your story Pennsylvania is about to enter its third week of operating without a state budget. The lack of progress made to date on ending this stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP-controlled

General Assembly suggests this budget fight isn't going to be over anytime soon.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 19 Services, programs could be affected by Pennsylvania budget impasse

Nineteen days into the start of the new fiscal year, Pennsylvania still does not have a new state budget. And there's no immediate signs of a breakthrough in the stalemate between the GOP-controlled Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. But if the dispute drags on much longer, the money that flows from... - Erie Times-News Service providers brace for lengthy Pennsylvania budget battle As the Pennsylvania budget impasse wears on, human service providers are preparing to feel the

pinch. While payments for certain social services — including entitlement programs such as food stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid — can continue without the approval of new state spending, those for most... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A state budget impasse jeopardizes services for Pennsylvanians in need I am deeply concerned about the inability of the Pennsylvania Legislature and the governor to pass

and sign a budget by the end of the fiscal year. The impact of delaying an approved budget will have dire consequences on human service agencies throughout the region.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

July 14 Disability rights advocates fear they're being forgotten in budget talks In the past several years, state money for services for people with disabilities has been kept relatively

level, even as the demand for services has grown. State budget negotiations are still playing out in Harrisburg, but advocates for people with disabilities are worried that they are being... - Somerset Daily Pennsylvania budget impasse delays efforts to create state prescription drug database Efforts to create the tool most sought by state leaders to fight prescription painkiller and heroin abuse have been jammed by the budget >>> >Continue The new prescription drug monitoring program is

in both budgets that Gov. Wolf and state Republicans have proposed.... - Reading Eagle

July 13 Letter to the Editor: Human services, drug programs need funding To the Times: Last month, a report from the Pennsylvania Coroners Association reported that at least

seven Pennsylvanians are dying every day from drug overdoses. The number of deaths from drug overdoses now surpasses car accident-related deaths in Pennsylvania and 35 other states.... - Primos

Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times Budget impasse puts social services in bind HARRISBURG – With the state budget more than a week overdue, many on the front lines of

government and social programs are scrambling to figure out how to pay their bills when the state isn’t. Many programs, funded by federal dollars, will continue to function whether... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

July 12 At Pennsylvania Capitol, question is when money will run out

As a budget impasse between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature stretches on, everyone in the state Capitol is asking this question: When will the Legislature run out of money ? With a new fiscal year having started July 1, and no signed state budget,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

July 10 Adolph: Guv’s veto withholds $13B from service providers HARRISBURG>> State Rep. Bill Adolph responded Thursday to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget veto, saying it potentially withholds $13 billion from state agencies and government service providers. “Gov. Wolf’s veto was an overreaching knee-jerk reaction that unnecessarily withholds billions from service providers,” Adolph,... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Budget impasse leaves Armstrong programs for needy struggling Programs that help the needy in Armstrong County have become victims of the state budget impasse. “As of July 1, when the impasse started, we do not have any money available for our homeless assistance program. We are also very concerned for our food bank,” said Kenneth Heilman, executive director of... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Berks commissioners brace for impact of Pa. budget impasse READING >> More than a week into the state budget impasse, Berks County government officials are beginning to consider the impact a prolonged stalemate would have on county agencies. If a new state budget is not passed by the end of August or early Spetember, the county will have to start cutting

human services, said... - Pottstown Mercury

July 6 Montgomery County will continue to pay human services providers during budget impasse NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County will continue to pay its human service providers while Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislators debate Pennsylvania’s budget. “As of yesterday the commonwealth has lost its authority to spend funds and pay most of its bills and obligations,” Uri Monson, the... - Lansdale Reporter

Official: Montco to provide services despite Pa. budget impasse

NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County will continue to pay its human service providers while Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislators debate Pennsylvania’s budget. “As of yesterday (July 1) the commonwealth has lost its authority to spend funds and pay most of its bills and

obligations,” Uri Monson, the... - Pottstown Mercury

July 5 Human service providers face crunch The stalemate between the General Assembly and Gov. Wolf, if not resolved quickly, could have long-

lasting effects on health and human-services providers who protect individuals throughout the commonwealth ("Wolf vetoes entire GOP budget," July 1). An extended budget impasse will reduce providers' ability to effectively... - Philadelphia Inquirer

July 3 Despite budget standoff, Pennsylvania residents will still get services — for now WILKES-BARRE — As far as the public is concerned, it’s business as usual for state operations — for now. Jeff Sheridan, Gov. Tom Wolf’s press secretary, said Thursday “government does not shut down”

and state services will operate as usual for the time being, despite the 2015-16 budget impasse.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

July 2 Local effects of budget veto few in short term Local governments and social-service agencies can keep operating in the short term but face financial worries should a long legislative impasse result from Governor Tom Wolf's state budget veto on Tuesday. "Everything is going on just as it does normally. Nobody should panic,"... - Gettysburg Times Impact of late state budget not lost on Wolf, lawmakers The impact of a late state budget on Pennsylvanians isn't lost on Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders. With Wolf's decision to veto the $30.2 billion GOP-backed budget on Tuesday, they acknowledged following a joint meeting on Wednesday it essentially begins to put state government in a shutdown mode.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News