Somerset County Response to 2010 State Budget Impasse

With a viable Commonwealth Budget for 2010 nearly sixty days late, the County of Somerset must implement short and long-term strategies to handle the lack of state funding necessary to run many core government services. On August 5, 2009, Governor Rendell signed SB 850, but “blue-lined” more than $13 billion dollars in line items, including vital funding for many human services and community corrections.

While the County will maintain mandated human services to protect the welfare and safety of children and provide adequate levels of community protection, the county cannot sustain the level of fiscal responsibility required by the state budget impasse.

After meeting with all County and County-related human service department heads, as well as the Somerset County President Judge and Director of the Probation Department, the Somerset County Commissioners have determined that the following steps will immediately be implemented:

· A hiring freeze will be imposed for all county departments until further notice.

· The county will begin to delay and defer payments to all placement providers. This will include providers of placement and treatment services to Somerset County Children and Youth Services, Juvenile Probation, Area Agency on Aging, and Mental Health and Retardation. While we acknowledge the financial pressure this action places on those providers, we encourage them to join with us to advocate on the passage of a state budget to state legislative leadership.

· All travel and training will be suspended, except in those instances where the training has already been paid for or the cost will be will be incurred by the employee.

· All purchasing for state funded programs, except for essentials, will be halted.

· Department heads are being encouraged to work closely with state agency liaisons and department secretaries to ensure that state funds due to the County are drawn down as quickly as possible.

Additional steps may be implemented if the budget impasse continues, including but not limited to the suspension of non-mandated services and layoffs, but will be only be used as a last resort.

To make your voice heard on this topic in Harrisburg, please visit the County web site at www.co.somerset.pa.us and click on the “Pass a State Budget Now” button in the upper left corner. From there you can send an email to the Governor, the legislative leadership, and the conference committee. You have the option to edit the letter we have provided or to write one of your own. You may also print out the letter and mail it instead of sending it via email.