Every Friday, Butler County has a bake sale to offset the money the state has failed to send for vital human services. Northampton County Controller Steve Barron has a better idea - hold all unclaimed funds instead of sending that money to the state. He's worried about the impact to the citizens who rely on services from the county, and may become more vulnerable if program funding is cut back or stopped even for a short period of time. “We are one county, but what if all 67 took a stand and said enough is enough that would send a powerful message.” Here's a copy of the email he just sent to county officials.
I am asking for your consideration of a movement that has been happening throughout the state, and I believe it is time for Northampton County to take action. Yearly, the counties of Pennsylvania transmit millions of dollars to the state in unclaimed money. This money sits for long periods of time with the state and is often not collected at all.
I would like to recommend that starting today, and until the state passes a budget, we no longer transmit these funds to the state. Instead, we should divert the money to our general fund and special revenue funds to partially offset the money the state is no longer sending. We are the only state left in the country to not pass a budget and unless Harrisburg is motivated in some way to compromise there is no end to this impasse in sight.
I would recommend that the Director of Finance and his staff keep good records of this money, and when the state funding begins to flow after a budget passes we will transmit the money to the state as required.
Several counties have set up programs to save money. Other counties soon will be forced to borrow at the tax payers expense to meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. Butler County has a weekly bake sale every Friday from 9 am until 1 pm with the money going to help keep services at current levels.
While I am not in a policy making position to stop these funds, but I do believe it is important to make suggestions that may help save us from emptying budgetary reserves or borrowing to meet expenses. Especially, when the state refuses to compromise on a budget, and sticks us in the Lehigh Valley with the tab for a special election that could be held in November with no additional cost.
Thank you for your consideration on this important matter.
I like the idea.
ReplyDeleteThe Banker
Nice thought- but illegal and the "Controller" should know that.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea, too. Presumably, Barron ran this by his Solicitor. Let the state sue, and then the county could counterclaim for the years of courtt services that the state has failed to pay.
ReplyDeleteDo two wrongs make a right?
ReplyDeleteNo, but you have not convinced me it is illegal to withhold funds from a state that won't pay for desparately needed human services.
ReplyDeleteIs Rich Grucela still collecting a check during all of this?
ReplyDeleteI usually get franked mail telling me he's wonderful.
Not so much lately.
What's he doing to resolve the crisis? I'd love to check the history on his taxpayer bought computer to see if he's playing solitaire or online poker like the publicized Connecticut guys who similarly failed to meet their responsibilities.
I'm sure he'll hold a big presser soon to tell us what he's doing on the budget. Lazy taxpayers want to know.
Like I've said many, many times before this is why we do not want to get anywhere near a County Health Dept. supposedly funded mostly by the state. We will get screwed and so will XHuman Services..
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good idea to me. I believe not having a budget is illegal also.
ReplyDeleteBanker, are you still duped by O'Hare?
ReplyDeleteBanker, are you still duped by O'Hare?
ReplyDeleteBelieve me if Barron wasn't an ohare mancrush he would jump on this idea. It makes for nice politics but it is most definitely illegal and the money you hold back won't begin to pay for any real services.
ReplyDeleteIn fact the state bureaucrats will probably penalize the county next year. Of course without any responsibility folks like Barron and ohare can play this game.
Butler County? I think they have about 20 people in their department.
Wow, How do you account for the money. Once the State funds are available will you have enough to send in.
This idea is so off the mark and purely silly look-good politics, it is as hard to criticize as the folks who bray on about the "death panels". You really can't even take it seriously.
Ever notice how when O'Hare is away, The Banker is away too. O'Hare returns, The Banker comes back too. They must be room mates or something...
ReplyDeleteI believe the argument can be made that it is legally permissibe to withhold funds from an organization if it owes you money and is not paying it. I also think that, if enough counties do this, the state will adopt a budget.
ReplyDelete"Ever notice how when O'Hare is away, The Banker is away too."
ReplyDeleteNo. But not everyone is obsessed with me as you seem to be.
Will one more person help resolve the budget stalemate. I think not. Save the $400K on the special election and wait a few stinkin weeks.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to sound like a Polyanna, but I've alweays felt one person can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteYou’re absolutely right. However, the GOP is pushing for this election to be held a mere 5 weeks before the General Election arguing it is about ensuring there is representation. So what did the GOP do? They appointed Bob Mensch as their candidate who is already seated in the State House. So if it is really about ensuring there is representation, what happens to the State House seat that is vacated in the event the GOP candidate wins? Spend another $400K in March on another special election? Now were talking $800K of our tax dollars.
ReplyDeleteYea just what the poor recipients of human services need. The advice of a press hungry politican and a disbarred attorney.
ReplyDeleteWhile I realize the impracticality of it... The less dependence on State & Federal funding the less dependence on them for it and all the strings that come with them.
ReplyDeleteEver notice how when O'Hare is away, The Banker is away too. O'Hare returns, The Banker comes back too. They must be room mates or something...
ReplyDelete9:19 PM
That's what people used to say about Janet and Michael Jackson. But she went to his funeral.
Steve, this is not correct and you will be getting in trouble if you try to do this. Unclaimed money is not State money and is set up for private individuals that is due to them (who may still eventually claimed It should not be co-mingled with County money.
ReplyDeleteAt least Stoffa was polite and said it was a nice gesture but won't be done.
ReplyDeleteYou don't think the state co-mingles that money? Even if the county just set it up in a different account and took the interest, it would send a message, especially if the other counties went along. What the state is doing is inexcusable and it is time to let them know that enough is enough.
ReplyDeleteI would not send them another nickel until they get off their asses. Two wrongs do not make a right, as someone noted earlier, but this is the right thing to do. The state has failed in its role as government and has breached its fiduciary duty to the people.
Stoffa is the exec and this is his call and I respect that. I disagree w/ him in this instance.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lehigh Valley Nobody is back at it.
ReplyDeleteGet a life!
Have a sandwich or something.
Bernie and Steve:
ReplyDeleteYou are off course on this one, John Stoffa is correct. Two Wong's don't make a White.
Then I'll just go back to my palace coup idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. How about I don't pay my taxes until the govt only does things I agree with?
ReplyDeleteThis has nothing to do w/ disagreeing w/ a a gov't action. Whewn a government completely abdicates its responsibility to the public, and hurts people who rely on the government for basic sustenance, it is no longer a government aqnd should be ignored.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a paid political announcement.
ReplyDeleteNice chins
ReplyDelete