Pennsylvania counties brace for payment delays amidst budget standoff.

Pennsylvania Counties Brace for Impact as State Budget ⁣Negotiations ​Stall

Pennsylvania counties are ⁣on the verge of missing their quarterly payments from the state for vital social services. As the state enters its fourth‌ week⁤ of stalled negotiations over the⁤ budget, county officials are preparing for potential consequences.

While some county officials claim that a few weeks without payment won’t have a significant impact due to their reserves, the situation could worsen if a deal ⁤is not reached before the state‍ legislature returns after Labor Day.

“No county‌ can ‍go very long without having some serious impact, from a financial standpoint,”

If the stalemate continues, county ⁢services such as substance abuse, child welfare, mental health, and disabilities will face a withholding of tens of millions of dollars. Furthermore, if the impasse persists, schools will not receive their much-needed funding.

This budget crisis coincides with a plea for increased funding for mental⁣ health resources in Pennsylvania. ⁢The state is currently grappling with a shortage of beds and staffing​ to support mental ⁤health patients, leading to backlogs in hospitals and​ jails.

A similar budget crisis occurred in 2015, resulting in a standoff between ‍the state legislature and the governor that lasted until 2016. County officials have learned from that experience and have⁢ made efforts to have extra funds available.⁣ However, some ⁣counties may still face significant challenges starting in September.

Fortunately, Allegheny and Snyder counties are better positioned and can‍ sustain themselves for several months without state assistance.

“We will find a way to make it work like we always do,” said Joe Kantz, a Snyder County commissioner. “But obviously ⁤there’s a breaking point. … We’re going to be able to weather a ⁤few months, but beyond that it becomes very difficult.”

In the meantime, Berks County has invoked a contract clause that allows them to delay vendor payments until the state budget is finalized.

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