State Rep. Bob Freeman still takes Corbett to task because he wants to sell state liquor stores to fund education, using non-recurring revenue for a recurring expense. " That is a one-time infusion of funding, and once it is gone, it is gone," says Freeman. That's the problem with selling the hen; you no longer get the eggs."
Freeman also slams theplan to privatize the state's lottery, which he calls the most successful in the nation.
"We don't need to divert funding from those programs to hire a private management firm to tell us how to run the operation," claims Freeman. "Instead of wasting millions of dollars on consultants, we should make sure that money goes directly to benefit our senior citizens."
Here are some highlights:
- Expanding Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities– $20 million in additional funds to reduce a waiting list for home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing services for 1,080 adults graduating from Special Education programs and adults in at-risk situations where their families may not be able to continue caring for them, and 118 adults who receive autism services;
- Expanded Services for Older Pennsylvanians – $21 million from increased lottery funds, due to the Lottery Private Management Agreement, to account for growth in home and community-based services which would allow 1,550 additional older Pennsylvanians to receive services at home;
- Expanding Services for Individuals with Physical Disabilities – $20 million in additional funds to provide home and community-based long-term living services for 1,680 individuals;
- Child Care Assistance – $7.1 million in additional funds to reduce the waiting list, allowing 1,400 additional children of low-income families to receive subsidized child care services;
- Improving the Quality of Child Care Programs – $3 million in additional funds for the Rising STARS initiative, which creates incentives for early child care and education providers to provide higher quality child care for our most at-risk children, giving them a strong foundation for the future;
- Juvenile Justice Reinvestment – $10 million in reinvestments into research-based prevention and intervention programs for at-risk children through a multi-agency Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Initiative; and
- Continued Investment in Specialized Hospital Services – $20 million to fully fund critical supplemental payments to hospitals, including obstetrical and neonatal facilities, burn centers, trauma centers and critical access facilities.
I know you are going gasgag to help build the John Stoffa Human Servcies Bulding but your comments are meaningless on their face. The increases you note are mostly educational based. Many funds are redirects through the Fed or primRILY Gracedale based.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day their are no real increases from the state. In fact, with a 2.5% increase in the lease payment every year this building boondoggle is even more of a terrible idea.
But who cares about servcies when the main concern is shinny new offices and a name on a building.
Now be a good little county council don't reasearch the the facts and just vote like Uncle John and Uncle Ken told you to.
I have listed the expanded services to human services, which appear to be substantial and appear to have answered the question whether Corbett would continue to cut. He is not. Now you can play your spin game, but the question has been answered.
ReplyDeleteThe only spin is an uneeded multimillion dollar building for a decreasing number of employees and a legacy. Who is really doing the spinning?
ReplyDeleteThe supposed Corbett budget cuts are not there. That question has been answered. Move on.
ReplyDeleteNo increases. The fact that there is no cut is the same as a cut as the cost of employess and servcies are increasing. Add to that a lease that will go up 2.5% each year.
ReplyDeleteWe realize you like the guy but is gutting programes.,selling off srvices and laying off emp;lyees really worth agreeing with him on his legacy building?
Could see the Gracedale argument but you are shameing yourself on this one.
There seem to be increases, as identified above. We are certainly entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own facts.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any figures yet for the core county functions of Children and youth, Mh, EI, Aging, and the rest.The Federal sequestration will also impact greatly on these figures..Council council doesnt need to vote down the building proposal, they just need to be smart and wait to see what the Feds will be doing here. Not sure if and when the federal cuts will impact but what's the rush on the building that can't wait a few more months?
ReplyDelete34 % of State monies come from the Federal budget..If the federal sequestration goes through then there will be alot less money for state human services..Alot less. The county would be wise top hold off on any major Human Service buildings until the Federal budget goes through. Hopefully Council keeps this issue tabled..
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis Gov. is an embarrassment and Fraud!!!!
TOM the TAX MAN!!!!!