PathWays PA Policy Blog

Federal Updates LIHEAP / SNAP JOINT VENTURE ON SUPER COMMITTEE TABLE OF CUTS . (News has come out this weekend suggesting that the Super Committee may have hit an impasse. However, until such news is definite, we must continue to reach out to them in support of programs that families rely on to stay secure throughout the year. The Super Committee is coming close to their deadline. Many proposals are being floated, including one that would limit states’ ability to coordinate the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and SNAP benefits (food stamps). This “Heat and Eat” program allows many states, including Pennsylvania , to coordinate SNAP and LIHEAP in recognition of the fact that too many struggling Americans face an impossible choice between paying for food or paying for energy. But Heat and Eat programs are under the threat of a $4 billion cut – meaning that many households will be left making tough choices in the coming winter months. As the Supe...

The United Way of Pennsylvania , The Southeastern Pennsylvania Budget Coalition , and many other organizations are circulating a survey to gauge the impact of state budget cuts to organizations across Pennsylvania. Please take a moment to answer this short, 12 question survey about the impact of cuts on your organization !

During this recession, every penny counts as Pennsylvanians search for family-sustaining employment. However, penny-wise can be pound-foolish when it comes to funding the programs Pennsylvanians need to find those jobs. Eighty percent of jobs in today’s economy require some form of education beyond high school. Since more than 750,000 adults in Pennsylvania (age 18-64) lack a high school diploma or GED, the only means they have of attaining these jobs is through adult education classes. However, over the past two years, the budget allocation for adult literacy has decreased by 50%. Meanwhile, GED classes are filling more quickly than ever. Even though the fiscal year just began in July, many counties have run out of space in their programs and begun waiting lists. If you support adult literacy, please write to your legislators today to let them know! image courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Libri_books2.jpg

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided funding for many important programs, including $2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant.  As the National Women's Law Center reports in a recent paper , states have chosen to use this money in a variety of ways.  States have used the money to maintain current assistance, to keep up with caseload growth, and to delay, reduce, or eliminate child care subsidy waiting lists. Some states have also used the funding to provide child care to parents who are searching for a job, to reduce parent copays, and to maintain or increase child care reimbursement rates.  Technology and quality improvement ratings are also recipients of funding across the country. Why is child care funding so important? Quality early education gives children a better opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in school and later in life, bringing economic benefits to their families and the community .  Access to a child care s...

Although the Governor has already released his new budget for FY 2010-2011, work continues to be done on the FY 2009-2010 version. Last week, the Governor's office announced that some line items put into budgetary reserve in January 2010 would be released for spending. These line items total $32.7 million in funding for programs including: Public Television: $500,000 of the $1 million line item was put into reserve (aka "frozen"). $900,000 is now available. Minority Business Development: $900,000 unfrozen Department of Agriculture: $2.05 million in total spending released, covering items such as farm safety, food marketing and research, and crop insurance Department of Public Welfare: $10 million in total spending released, including $4.2 million for acute care and $2.7 million for Healthcare Clinics. Some programs which had a 20 percent budget cut under the freeze (such as hospital based burn centers and Medical Assistance line items for Obstetrics and Neonatal ...

State PA Budget Continues to See Changes With the FY2010-2011 budget address drawing near, work on the FY2009-2010 budget has not yet drawn to a close. After 101 days without a budget and the signing of a table games bill just two weeks ago, funds have now been moved from budgetary items to a budgetary reserve, which means they cannot be spent. Cuts include : A 5.2% cut in Agriculture A 2.4% cut in Environmental Protection A 3.4% cut in Health A 4.1% cut in Labor and Industry A 0.6% cut in Public Welfare Line item decreases include Industry Partnerships; children's health insurance; county child welfare; autism intervention; mental health services; and Pre-K Counts. For a full list, please see this chart from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center or this copy of the line item changes 32 line items, including New Choices New Options , have been fully cut. These changes to the budget have been made following lower state revenues than projected. Budget ...

State Budget Update – Table Game Legislation Signed With only a month to go before the next year’s budget objectives are announced, the Governor signed a bill legalizing table games at Pennsylvania’s slot casinos on Thursday. The table games include poker, blackjack, and roulette. The new law is expected to generate millions in license fees to close a gap in the current year's budget, and to produce revenues for state and local governments in future years. Passage of the bill also prevents the Governor’s proposed layoff of 1,000 state workers. According to the bill, table games would be taxed at a rate of 16 percent, with 14 percent going directly to the state and 1 percent to each the casino's county and its municipality. The state's share would go to the general fund to fill budget shortfalls until the state's Rainy Day Fund reaches $750 million. After that, all table-game revenue will go toward property-tax relief. $3 million will be set aside for gambling and oth...

With only a month to go before the Governor plans to announce his budget objectives for FY2011, the State House of Representatives passed legislation (already passed by the Senate) to legalize poker, blackjack, roulette, and other table games in Pennsylvania. The Governor plans to sign the bill later today. This bill is expected to create thousands of jobs and add $250 million into the state revenue. Passage of the bill also prevents the Governor’s proposed layoff of 1,000 state workers. According to the bill, table games would be taxed at a rate of 16 percent, with 14 percent going directly to the state and 1 percent to each the casino's county and its municipality. The state's share would go to the general fund to fill budget shortfalls until the state's Rainy Day Fund reaches $750 million. After that, all table-game revenue will go toward property-tax relief. $3 million will be set aside for gambling and other addiction treatment programs. It is expected to take be...

State Budget Update While the announcement of next year’s budget is almost a month away, the state legislature is still working to complete the table games legislation that plays a key part of the FY 2009-2010 budget. With that portion of the $27.8 billion state budget still unfinished , the state ledger sheet is short $250 million of being legally balanced. Gov. Ed Rendell wants a table games bill on his desk by the second week of January. Table game legislation stalled after the House and Senate each amended and approved a bill. The Senate bill was referred back to the House on December 16th, which is in recess until January. The remaining major disagreement surrounds permitting an additional casino license in the state. The Governor has stated that if a table games bill is not approved by January 8, 1,000 state employees will have to be laid off . While the debate over table games continues, legislation has been signed that will allow funds to start flowing to universi...

State Budget Update While the announcement of next year’s budget is less than 60 days away, the state legislature is still working to complete the table games legislation that plays a key part of the FY 2009-2010 budget. The legislation, and the $200 million it is supposed to raise, must be approved before authorizing payments to the universities, hospitals, and museums. There is speculation that further delay in table games legislation may lead to more layoffs and potentially second semester tuition increases at universities . A vote on the bill is anticipated this week Federal Send a Holiday Health Care Message to Your Legislator The Pennsylvania Health Access Network is working with Georgeanne Koehler to collect health care stories or messages of support for health care reform. Georgeanne has devoted herself to working tirelessly for health care reform. She has a her own personal message to share: her brother lost his job and his health insurance, and, because of a...

Lawmakers took to the House floor last Wednesday evening to move on long-awaited table games legislation, but substantive debate on the measure was bogged down for much of the night as legislators debated parliamentary maneuvers. Before wading into lengthy debate over procedure, the House also rejected five motions to consider non-preferred university appropriations, one for each school. Democrats argued the legislative body needed to approve table games legislation, and the $200 million it is supposed to raise, before authorizing payments to the universities, such as Penn State. Debate will continue in the hope to bring final passage soon. Governor Ed Rendell stated similar points to House Democrats about funding for non-preferred universities during an afternoon press conference, where he also officially announced the resignation Estelle Richman, Secretary of Public Welfare. Secretary Richman will join the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development as Secretary Shaun Don...

In an effort to improve future alerts, we have created a brief survey about PathWays PA Special Budget Alerts. Please take a few minutes and let us know what you thought of our Budget Alerts and how we may be able to improve them. Also, please stay tuned, as next year’s budget is already right around the corner. Federal Urge Your Member of Congress Not to Postpone the Reauthorization of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) includes the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), which is the largest source of federal funding for adult literacy and basic education programs. A reauthorized AEFLA should include provisions to increase access to funding for programs that provide services to adults at the lowest literacy level. If Congress does not act on reauthorization, these efforts will be hindered. Please contact your representatives through ProLiteracy's CapWiz program. If you can, please include local information about your waiti...

Unfortunately, eventhough a budget was passed and signed weeks ago, funding for state-related universities, museums, and hospitals will not be released until the state passes the table games legislation. However, this will be the last budget alert until something new occurs. In an effort to improve future alerts, we have created a brief survey . Please take a few minutes and let us know what you thought of our Budget Alerts and how we may be able to improve them. Also, please stay turned, as next year’s budget is already right around the corner. More Work to Be Done: Legalization of Table Games After the Governor signed the $27.8 billion budget on Oct. 9, lawmakers had yet to vote on a proposal to allow table games at slots parlors . Revenue from table games is projected to reach $200 million this fiscal year, which is needed to help balance the state budget. Universities, museums, and hospitals have been allotted $730 million in the budget, but that money has been held...

PA Budget Even though the budget was signed weeks ago, funding for state related universities, museums, and hospitals is being held up until the gaming bill is complete. House and Senate negotiators are still working on the tax rates for table games and the one-time license fees that casino operators would be required to pay. Please continue to see our PathWays PA Policy Blog for updates on the budget and other important policy issues. In an effort to improve future alerts, we have created a brief survey about PathWays PA Special Budget Alerts. Please take a few minutes and let us know what you thought of our Budget Alerts and how we may be able to improve them. Also, please stay tuned, as next year’s budget is already right around the corner. Federal Urge Your Senator to Extend Unemployment Benefits Currently, 5.4 million Americans have been out of a job for six months or more. Approximately 7,000 workers run out of unemployment insurance each day. Hopes of getting a new job are...