Price of Service Cuts: Budget Impasse Forces Human Service Agencies to Use Small Cash Reserves to Stay Afloat
August 12, 2009
Deep cuts to public services are being considered in Harrisburg as lawmakers and the Governor work to resolve the budget crisis. PBPC is tracking news reports on the potential impact of these cuts on local communities across Pennsylvania.
Today, we look at a story on Blair County human services agencies, which don’t know how much longer they can wait before providers decide to stop offering services to abused children, recovering addicts, and dangerous juveniles.
The Altoona Mirror reported on August 12 that the budget impasse in Harrisburg has created a ticking time bomb that may go off in September in Blair County. Providers that offer counseling to abused children, rehabilitation services to recovering addicts, and secure housing to dangerous juveniles have not been paid due to the state budget impasse. Human service agencies aren’t sure how much longer they can continue providing services, as cash reserves used to stay afloat are due to run out in September.
More information about how proposed cuts will hurt Pennsylvanians can be found at PBPC's 30 Ways in 30 Days Service Cuts Will Hurt Pennsylvanians, which examines proposed cuts to public education, college costs, hospitals, children's health care, senior services, state police patrols, and agricultural programs, among other areas. Return to the Price of Service Cuts.
Read the Altoona Mirror article below.
Lack of budget hits county hard
By Kay Stephens
August 12, 2009
http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/521537.html?nav=742
HOLLIDAYSBURG - The delayed passage of a state budget has trickled down to Blair County in the form of unpaid bills and potential safety risks, county leaders said Tuesday.
"Currently, there is no [state] money coming in to pay our providers," county Children and Youth Services Director Maryanne Burger said Tuesday.
Drug and Alcohol Administrator Judy Rosser said she has no state or federal money to pay agencies providing treatment services for local residents, some of whom are working to rebuild their lives.
Based on information received to date, Rosser cut her 2009-10 budget by 24 percent, expecting the adopted budget will contain less money.
"I'm just not sure how long providers will stand for not being paid," Rosser said.
President Judge Jolene G. Kopriva said the lack of a state budget is starting to show up in court, where defendants tell her they have no financial means to stay on their medications after being released from jail.
Kopriva said other defendants, when ordered to pay costs, fines or restitution, respond by saying: "I want to [pay], but I'm not getting my check."
County Juvenile Probation Director Nancy Williams questions what happens if the secure facilities housing those Blair County juveniles identified as dangerous want to send those youths home for lack of payment.
"To be put out because there's no money is horrible, and how would the community deal with that ... and our schools, because they have to go to school," Williams said.
Controller Richard J. Peo said the county has money to get along while the state budget remains in limbo, but it is incurring expenses this month and in September without reimbursement. He said the state is about $3 million behind in money owed to Children and Youth Services.
"If this budget doesn't pass soon," Peo said, "our drop-dead date is going to be in September because we're going to be out of money. ... By Oct. 1, we're going to have a problem."
Commissioners Terry Tomassetti and Diane Meling said they met last week with Peo and have talked with county department heads about the dilemma. Tomassetti said he opposes the idea of Blair County borrowing money or arranging a line of credit while waiting for state money.
"I won't support that," Tomassetti said. "What is happening in Harrisburg is irresponsible ... and the responsibility rests on their shoulders."
