PathWays PA Policy Blog

Last week, President Trump released his plans for the 2019 federal budget. It includes cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and energy assistance along with the elimination of funding for public broadcasting and loan forgiveness for students who enter public service. Here's a more in-depth look at some items: Healthcare: The budget cuts Medicaid and subsidies for the health insurance marketplace by $763 billion over 10 years. It also embraces the Graham-Cassidy proposal to eliminate the ACA and replace it with a block grant to states. The block grants would be less than what states receive currently to assist families with healthcare, leaving them with additional, unfunded costs. Housing: Under this budget, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would see a cut of $8.8 billion . Rental assistance programs are among those that would see cuts, while LIHEAP would be completely eliminated . Nutrition: Perhaps the most talked about cuts so far are those made to nutrition progra...

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NPR and other news organizations are reporting a bipartisan budget agreement has been made between Senator Mitch McConnell and Senator Chuck Schumer. If passed, the deal would suspend planned cuts to both military and domestic spending. This bill would also increase the debt ceiling, which needs to happen in the next month. Not included in the bill, however, is a decision on DACA recipients . Without policy aiding the Dreamers, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is opposing the bill . Meanwhile, at least one House Republican is also in opposition. Action Steps: Call your legislators to talk about the budget at 202-224-3121. Here's a sample script: "My name is ___, and I live in ___'s district. I'm calling to show my support/disapproval of the proposed 2 year budget." Then share one or two sentences about the programs you care about and if you agree with the proposed funding.

Click here to enlarge This afternoon, Governor Wolf announced the 2018-2019 budget, along with some of his policy initiatives for the year. In his budget speech , he proposed an additional $125 million for K-12 education and a new program, called Community Health Choices, designed to help seniors receive care in their communities instead of in facilities. The budget summary  also calls for an increase in the minimum wage, modernization of the Equal Pay law, and the passage of a statewide paid sick days bill. The chart pictured here shows selected line items from the Governor's budget. Basic Education, Pre-K Counts, and the Children's Health Insurance Program are among the programs set to get an increase, while Adult and Family Literacy and County Assistance Offices see a slight decrease in funding. A number of programs, including Mobile Science and Math Education, Job Training and Special Education, Regional Cancer Institutes, ALS Support Services, and the New Choices/Ne...