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LOCK HAVEN -- Until the Pennsylvania State Budget can officially reach Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk, funding for a variety of social services in Clinton County could see an effect.
During its work session on Monday, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners touched briefly on the effects the budget may have on county government and local organizations.
While discussing items on the agenda for Thursday's voting session with CYS Assistant Director Tristan Rock, Chair Miles Kessinger asked if the department heard about reimbursements from the state.
"We got a report from domestic relations that we will not be getting any state reimbursements because they didn't pass the budget," Kessinger said.
According to reports from the Associated Press, a version of the state's $45.5 billion budget for 2023, was passed by both the state House and Senate. However, neither chamber will return to session until September to finalize the process -- meaning the budget is currently at an impasse.
Rock told the commissioners on Monday morning that CYS hadn't received its allocation from the state for various social services.
"We have not received our final allocation yet," she said, noting it may be due to the budget impasse. "We are anxiously awaiting that. But until (then) we have a tentative allocation but not an official allocation."
"Because they don't know what they're doing in Harrisburg we won't be getting any money," Kessinger concluded.
Multiple departments within Clinton County's government could face issues if the impasse were to continue.
According to Chief Clerk Desiree Myers, eight departments within the county utilize state government funds. This includes: Voter Registration; Assessment; Courts; Domestic Relations; Children and Youth; Coroner; Probation; Department of Emergency Services.
Services within these departments that will see a temporary loss of funding are: Liquid Fuels; Human Services Development Fund; TEFAP – Food Assistance; STEP – Transportation; Homeless Assistance; LETI Grant – Drug & Alcohol; Victim Witness Fees; Farmland Preservation; 911 Act 12 Funding.
Commissioner Angela Harding noted some of these services may need to be covered by the county until the budget is signed.
"What is concerning about the unsigned budget is that county governments will need to cover the losses for in-house, state funded programs until the budget is formally approved," Harding said. "The lapse in time creates more work for county staff, specifically our fiscal departments."
Harding said the county will work to find ways to make it work.
"I wish the state elected officials would make a concession to return to work earlier to pass the budget and help the counties they serve," she said.
Outside of the county government, certain non-profit organizations -- such as STEP, Inc. -- could also feel the burden a budget stuck in impasse may create.
Commissioner Jeff Snyder said the board was notified by STEP last week that, due to the budget in limbo, 156 children in its Pre-K classes would not be able to participate.
"They are laying off staff," Snyder said.
Snyder said he spoke with State Representative Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union) who said, although the budget was to be approved by the end of June, the House would not return to session until September.
"So get ready folks, this is just the start of it," he said. "I just wanted you to know that we do not have anything to do with the funding at STEP. It's all state."
Harding said when it comes to non-county programs, she hopes they have funding reserves to keep programs afloat.
"Children, specifically, should not have to suffer because of grown adults choosing to delay doing their job," she said.
Statewide, county officials are beginning to take steps to prepare for potentially long-term delays of funding -- particularly for social services.
The Associated Press reported that this isn't the first time counties were faced with this challenge.
Counties have experienced struggling through stalemates, including a record-breaking impasse in 2015 that didn't thaw out until 2016, the Associated Press said.