Chester County’s three state senators are criticizing their Republican colleagues for failing to reach a compromise on the Pennsylvania budget, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.
Stalled budget talks have already forced changes to SEPTA’s operations and are now starting to impact vital community services in Pennsylvania’s most affluent county.
“Chester County’s human services departments have not received $10 million in state funding during July and August due to the budget impasse,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta during a joint conference in West Chester Borough Hall earlier this week. “The county is absorbing those costs for now, but they cannot bridge the gap forever.”
With the state budget nearly two months overdue, Comitta, State Sen. John Kane, and State Sen. Katie Muth warned that the county could face cuts to at-home senior services, disability programs, and mental health initiatives if no compromise is reached.
Meanwhile, to remain viable, local school districts have already started to cut back on staff.
“Schools are dipping into reserves or borrowing to make ends meet, but the associated costs will be passed on to taxpayers,” said Comitta.
The Senate is set to resume sessions in Harrisburg on Sept. 8.
Read more about the issues surrounding the state budget in Pennsylvania and in WHYY.
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