It is now a full two months without a budget being passed and there seems to be no end in sight at this point. We are currently the only state in the country that is operating without a budget. Governor Rendell and GOP leaders in the state Senate remain in a stalemate over the Governor's proposed spending increases and his proposed "temporary" personal income tax increase.
Financially strapped county governments across the state are now feeling the full impact of the budget battle going on in Harrisburg. The lack of state funding for mandated services is severely impacting the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.
In Blair County, families who adopted children out of the state welfar system now are no longer receiving their monthly stipends negotiated with the County prior to the adoptions. A letter was sent out to all providers from the commissioner's office two weeks ago informing families that the county commissioners were going to stop payment until the state budget was passed. The letter also encouraged people to contact their local legislators or Governor Rendell's office.
Shelters in Blair County who serve battered women, runaway teens, and the homeless funded mostly by the state's Human Services Development Fund have closed their doors. Child Day Care centers in the area who receive much of their funding from the state's TANF reimbursement are now being forced to close their doors leaving many families scrambling to find day care services while they work.
The point is the state budget gridlock is having a real impact in our communities. Whether you agree with these services or not it still doesn't excuse the fact that the Governor and state lawmakers knew this budget shortfall was coming a year ago and they did nothing to rollback spending levels. Now our state is suffering from a 3 billion dollar shortfall. And the blame should fall strictly on the shoulders of Governor Rendell who's appetite for spending increases has gotten us into this mess in the first place.
It's time for Governor Rendell to realize we can't afford his spending increases any longer and the most vulnerable in our communities can't afford his stubbornness.
