The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 195-3 to pass Senate Bill 850 yesterday afternoon. As written, S.B. 850 would make deep cuts to key programs would force more disabled people out of their homes and into nursing homes. The $27 billion budget now goes to Governor Rendell, who is expected to line-item veto all but the items essential for the Commonwealth to pay it’s employees and vendors. Rendell stated during a news conference that he will sign this “stopgap” budget this morning, August 5.
The stopgap action doesn’t solve the bitter partisan impasse that has left Pennsylvania without a budget for more than one month. Pennsylvania is broke. The effects of the recession are expected to push Pennsylvania’s budget shortfall to $3.2 billion in the current fiscal year. The continuing budget impasse magnifies the threat of substantial cuts to funding for severely disabled adults in Attendant Care and other community based programs without an increase in state revenues.
You Can Help!
Contact Governor Rendell, remind him to veto the lines that do harm to home and community based services, and ask him to take care of our disabled citizens in the final budget.
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
E-mail the Governor’s Office (Link opens in a new window)
