Northampton County has issued a 30-day notice to the union representing Human Services workers, advising them that furloughs may be necessary if the state budget impasse continues. Moreover, as of Monday, payments to Human Services vendors have been suspended. The county has also postponed its annual luncheon for centenarians.
Executive Lamont McClure stressed layoffs are an "option of last resort."
NorCo's Human Services Department investigates allegations of abuse and neglect aimed at our children and elderly, the most vulnerable members of society. It provides a wide variety of services to individuals who have mental health issues. It provides services, usually through vendors, aimed at the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. It also helps veterans and their dependents.
The state funds between 80-90% of the salaries of these workers. But since the state budget impasse on June 30, the county has been paying these salaries on its own. McClure estimates that the county has spent $8-12 million so far and estimates that figure might be as high as $20 million by the end of October.
McClure is reluctant to use the county's rainy-day fund, called a stabilization fund, to pay these wages. He is also reluctant to seek a short-term loan to cover these expenses because that loan would need to be repaid with interest that the state is unwilling to reimburse.
“Republicans in the State Senate have failed the people of Pennsylvania by refusing to pass a budget,” said McClure. "For three months, their dysfunction has left counties like Northampton footing the bill, costing us millions of dollars just to keep essential services going. ... This is unacceptable. They must do their job, pass a budget, and stop punishing taxpayers and seniors alike."
We are just pawns in their political games. Real services like this schools and everything inbetween are about to get a system shock. Shapiro caved on Septa funding I can live with that for now so long as buses and trains run for those that need it. I have no idea what the fight in Harrisburg is truly about anymore. Senate republicans keep saying we’re spending too much but we’ve built up an estimated $11 billion surplus as of mid 2025. That is taxpayer money that just sits. Yes we can and should invest it to a point. But to argue we’re fresh out of cash while the money sits and essential services need to be paid for? When they say that we are spending too much compared to revenue taken in and Shaprio and the House say yes that’s why we want legal weed and to tax skill games but republicans refuse to back that. The reason why is because so many in both chambers are getting checks from the skill games industry and the same goes for the interest on weed unclear who needs to grease the pockets there. If they told me they wanted to add a DOGE component sure! Would love that we waste $200 million on the race horse development fund every year and I’m sure there’s more. But I haven’t heard or seen anything like that and worse yet the Republican leader Pittman never even shows up to work. The only assistance anyone has gotten was a loan option from Treasurer Garrity but then counties and other government entities would owe 4.5% interest on the loan, you know for the money they are supposed to get from the state government because their taxpayers paid taxes into it…seems smart! It’s far too obvious that everyone is playing a political game with the lives of every Pennsylvania. Republicans want Shaprio to look like a poor leader, he wants a big win for his re-election next year and now Garrity wants to be a last minute hero with the loans since she’s running against Shaprio. It all reeks of desperation.
ReplyDeleteMcClure "estimates" He doesn't know? Is that a real figure or not?
ReplyDeleteHe could have given me a more precise figure had I given him more time. The estimate is based on what he could tell me in an after-hours phone conversation for today's story. And incidentally, that is why it is called an "estimate."
DeleteCome on NorCo! These hard working county employees are at risk of being put out of work and having their turned up side down. No income no health insurance!!
DeleteIn addition to the invaluable services they help to provide! We are allowing our most vulnerable county residents to be left with out ANY of the life saving resources. How does this make any sense!
We as a county can NOT let Trump and his maga supporters poison this county with their disdain for basic human services and welfare.
Find A Way to fund these agencies!
Maybe council can pass one of their toothless resolutions. That will put a fire under those pesky state reps.
ReplyDeleteS0 McClure will hold needy Northampton County resident's hostage to please his Philadelphia democrat masters. This will make people here suffer. SEPTA spends and spends. Maybe they are right and maybe they are wrong; Northampton County residents should not suffer to help McClures political ambitions. We have an emergency fund that council controls. Save the people, McClure is not a dictator.
ReplyDeleteLet's start with the county controller. She's simply running her campaign at the taxpayer expense anyways.
ReplyDeleteWhy not just “co mingle” the rainy day funds with funding for the social workers to help pay them….McClure , Zyrinski, and Barron used this tactic before to fill a Gracedale budget deficit.
ReplyDeleteThis is a political crisis stunt by McClure of his own making. The county is low on cash because Gracedale has lost $38 million over the past 2 years.
ReplyDeleteExactly! But blame republicans for state budget fiasco!
DeleteBullshit this Shapiro's fault.
ReplyDeleteShapiro presented his budget on tome its with the state legislature now and has been. Learn tje state budget process before you criticize.
DeleteNARRATOR: Nobody cares and McClure hasn't explained where the Gracedale money went.
ReplyDeleteWhere's the money Lamont? Are Republicans to blame for the money you apparently stole from employees?
What about the screwing Brown and Brackbill gave the employees and retirees? No one shafted the employees more than the Republicans. The proof is in the pudding. No employee or retiree or their families will vote Republican. They would have to be nuts!
DeleteThese Harrisburg Republicans don’t care who they hurt.
ReplyDeleteOk Lamont. It’s all republicans fault? Where’s Shapiro, the little man that wants to be President? He can’t handle a divided state government than he can’t handle the presidency.
ReplyDeleteYou truly have no understanding of how this is working do you? Not surprised. Shapiro has presented a budget and I believe some amended ones as well. Republicans refuse to approve it but also refuse to sit down and discuss the dislikes and work through them. So yes it is the republicans fault being Shapiro did his part.
DeleteThe PA Constitution says that budget must be passed by June 30th. Are our Representatives and Senators still getting paid ?
ReplyDeleteThey should be furloughed without pay and their health insurance terminated of they don't pass the budget on time.
DeleteThe impending Trump Federal Government shutdown is hanging over all of this too.
ReplyDelete7:09 AM - Don't you mean the "Democrats Shutdown Gamble?" Interesting when even CNN is calling them on it.
Deletehttps://www.cnn.com/2025/09/20/politics/democrats-government-shutdown-schumer
That’s the Schumer shut down. Get it right!
DeleteThe Senate did pass a budget on August 12th. This is ill informed by Norco, bush league. Additionally the following happened yesterday to help counties.
ReplyDeleteHarrisburg, PA — Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that the Pennsylvania Treasury Department will make $500 million available for Pennsylvania’s Head Start providers and county governments through a short-term, investment loan effort designed to ease the financial burden being faced by these entities, which serve Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations, due to the lack of an enacted state budget.
“Our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, especially our children, should not suffer because of ongoing state budget negotiations in Harrisburg,” Treasurer Garrity said. “Pennsylvania’s taxpayers expect their hard-earned tax dollars to be put to work, not be put on hold. We should not stand by and watch Head Start providers and county-level agencies like those that provide mental and behavioral health support struggle to provide necessary services to families relying on them while they wait for a state budget that is nearly three months late. Treasury is here to do its part to bridge the gap until an agreement is reached.”
“We support the Treasurer’s bold leadership for this program that provides an important safety net to ensure counties can continue serving our communities without interruption, even during times of delayed state funding,” said Julie Wheeler, York County President Commissioner & Treasurer, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. “This initiative directly aligns with a resolution CCAP passed at our conference this past summer to support direct deposits from the State Treasury into county accounts.”
“In a time of financial distress for many counties, the Treasury’s offering of short-term, investment loans is a welcomed option,” said Kyle Kopko, Executive Director, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. “The uncertainty surrounding the state budget is putting immense pressure on Pennsylvania counties, and while this new opportunity may provide some relief, our prime emphasis continues to be urging the Governor and General Assembly to work together to finalize a budget without delay.”
Treasury will make outreach directly to Head Start programs and county governments. Funds will be received within two business days of approval. Those who enter into a loan agreement will be required to pay back the initial Treasury investment plus a 4.5 percent annual interest rate within 15 days of state funds being released following the enactment of a state budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
To be eligible for this program, Head Start providers and county governments must indicate the investment will be used for immediate operating expenses and agree to the loan’s standard terms and conditions.
“We have no greater responsibility than to take care of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and that’s exactly what’s being achieved by making these funds available,” Treasurer Garrity said.
So let me get this right. You want the county to borrow money from the state government that caused this mess and then pay 4.5% interest on the loan. That really helps the taxpayer. And I hate to break it to you, but that amount is a drop in the bucket. I think the county could get a better rate from a bank. Geez.
DeleteRepublicans
ReplyDeleteSo, it's all the republicans fault according to McClure. Typical blame game logic. There can't possibly be any democrats involved. It's a wonder he didn't blame Trump.
ReplyDeleteIs his guess of 8 to 10 million more of that funny money like the gracedale funds? I can see RM's campaign flyers now.
ReplyDeleteI'm a taxpayer and this is not punishment to me. Now, off to work. Deadbeats in subsidized housing are counting on me.
ReplyDeleteThe people who work at the human services building pay the same taxes you do. But they also put their heart and souls into helping those who the rest of you could care less about!
DeleteRepublicans in Harrisburg just tryin to make Guv look bad
ReplyDeleteWhat a clown Lamont is. He's just like most politicians on both sides trying to posture as he runs for a different office. Love how he just had to cancel the annual luncheon for centenarians as if that's what was going to break the bank for the County. Also, the blame for not passing a budget falls on both parties. Bost sides want to dig their heels in and neither wants to work with anyone across the aisle. Just my opinion, but I blame social media in large part for where this country is regarding political discourse. Most politicians seem to care more about how many likes their post gets.
ReplyDeleteThe cancellation of the luncheon and blaming it on "Republicans" is such a blatantly cynical political move. Really, using a handful of centenarians as pawns?...McClure is exactly the wrong kind of personality we need in government right now.
DeleteAnd don't forget using welfare of constituents with not having the social workers. Who can't see right through this intentional political move!
DeleteAgreed! He's a clown for sure! Not someone or any of constituents running in November what we need right now
DeleteIf this was gracedale we wouldn't have even known about it. Lamont would have paid it with money he took from somewhere else...
ReplyDeleteHR department over budget by 1.5 MILLION dollars. What all 10 employees there. Wounder where that money went.
Sure let's pay agency nurses 125 an hour. Wound if anyone looked into Lamont donations to his congressional run any names matching those agencies? Or employees???
8-12 million? That’s a big range. I would expect a better handle on what that amount is
ReplyDeleteIt’s so sad to see republican vs democratic is todays version of black vs white from the 50s and 60’s.
ReplyDeleteWhen state budgets get delayed, it’s not the politicians who feel the pain—it’s state workers, county employees, contractors, school districts, and families who depend on stable paychecks and funding. The disconnect is very real: lawmakers keep getting paid while the people under their responsibility are left hanging.
ReplyDeleteThis isn’t just about politics—it’s about people’s livelihoods. Families who rely on steady income can’t put bills, childcare, or groceries on hold because legislators are gridlocked. That gap between lawmakers insulated financial security and everyday workers’ reality is why these situations are unfair and enraging!
Politicians are insulated, self-serving, and completely disconnected from the struggles of ordinary people. When you watch them argue over pet issues while workers, families, and communities pay the price, it’s easy to feel like they’re the last people who should be in charge of anything that affects real lives.
We need to stop pointing the finger at one side, and hold them all accountable!
McClure-not a good look for you right now to BLAME Republicans just so you can try to get some votes for your campaign! Lehigh County doesn't seem to have these issues in Human Services AND their employees get paid WAY more than Northampton County Human Services employees......Cancelling the luncheon? Another tactic??? In 2024, there were 31 attendees from Northampton County with a cost of $34 per person. Is that REALLY breaking the bank in this county???
ReplyDelete12:26, ALL counties, including Lehigh, have been impacted. Some are considering the same approach as McClure. Others, and I believe this includes Lehigh, are considering borrowing.
DeleteLet me add that you can have your opinion regarding the reason for the impasse and McClure can have his. That is not really the issue. The issue is what county government can do to fund vital services.
DeletePressure the state representatives to do their job on budget and stop paying them until they do
DeleteLehigh County MAY have the same issues but they're not making it political like this....And right now there's no discussion in that county of any of this where as Northampton is just looking for some
Deletevotes, November is coming quick!
McCluless always blames Republicans while we have a phony as a Governor who has his eyes on the White House!
ReplyDeleteSpending in Pa has been bad for many years so much waste and no one will ever correct it bottom line politicians are not the answer.
ReplyDeleteShapiro was going all around all summer long instead of working on his budget now he blames it on Trump.
ReplyDeleteState lawmakers will not give us a budget until they give term limits and no property taxes for some reason, they will never give us term limits and they probably are too stupid to figure out a way to run the state without property taxes
ReplyDeleteCould the county have better managed finances over the last few years to better this situation, probably. But in the end, democrats and republicans need to come together to pass the state budget. Essential services are losing out everywhere from social services to our schools. PA is one of 2 states left that hasn’t passed a budget. I see legislators attending golf fundraisers and community festivities all while still getting paid while many programs have had to cut staff. The College of Cardinals officials meet when they need to elect a new pope and are not allowed to leave until a decision is made. That’s how our government should be. In the end, everyone will point fingers. Now is the time to work together so our community can continue to get the necessary services many need.
ReplyDeleteCall this as it is…our PA leaders are paid by us to do their job. The most important job they have is the budget. They had more than 8 months to come to agreement. They didn’t. They failed us.
ReplyDeleteThey all need to be fired or fined heavily for not doing the most important job they were elected for!!!