Pennsylvania's Budget Impasse Creates 'Perfect Storm' for Aid Groups and Schools Amidst Government Shutdown.
The crisis unfolding across the Keystone State is a devastating double whammy – as the US government teeters on becoming its longest shutdown in history, Pennsylvania organizations reliant on federal support find themselves locked in their own budget standoff with the state legislature.
For non-profit organizations like the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), a network of 59 community-based domestic violence programs across the state that provides crucial services to approximately 90,000 survivors and their children, this is a perfect storm of financial woes. PCADV receives 53% of its budget from federal funds, while the remaining 43% comes from the state – making it vulnerable to the dual impasse.
PCADV's CEO, Susan Higginbotham, warned that layoffs, furloughs, or even permanent closures are inevitable unless lawmakers find a solution. "It's impossible to manage," she said in an interview with NBC News. "This is disaster for nonprofit programs providing services to people."
As the shutdown drags on, schools across Pennsylvania are facing their own crisis – as they wait for $5.3 billion in missed state funding. Districts that rely heavily on government funding are in a precarious situation, while wealthier districts with more local revenue appear to be better off.
According to Chris Lilienthal, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, schools have been forced to suspend afterschool programs and implement spending freezes. At least three school districts are on the brink of closure altogether.
The suspension of federal SNAP nutrition benefits has also had a significant impact – nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, including 713,000 children, stand to lose access to this vital support. The loss of these benefits is causing "concerns" among educators and parents alike, according to Lilienthal.
President Trump's administration claims it will use contingency funds to pay out partial SNAP benefits for November following a judge's order. However, those partial payments may take several weeks – exacerbating the already dire situation in Pennsylvania.
With bipartisan talks between senators predicted to bring an end to the shutdown by this week, there are glimmers of hope that Pennsylvania organizations and families will soon receive the support they need – but until then, the state remains locked in its own budget impasse, leaving those most vulnerable exposed.
The crisis unfolding across the Keystone State is a devastating double whammy – as the US government teeters on becoming its longest shutdown in history, Pennsylvania organizations reliant on federal support find themselves locked in their own budget standoff with the state legislature.
For non-profit organizations like the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), a network of 59 community-based domestic violence programs across the state that provides crucial services to approximately 90,000 survivors and their children, this is a perfect storm of financial woes. PCADV receives 53% of its budget from federal funds, while the remaining 43% comes from the state – making it vulnerable to the dual impasse.
PCADV's CEO, Susan Higginbotham, warned that layoffs, furloughs, or even permanent closures are inevitable unless lawmakers find a solution. "It's impossible to manage," she said in an interview with NBC News. "This is disaster for nonprofit programs providing services to people."
As the shutdown drags on, schools across Pennsylvania are facing their own crisis – as they wait for $5.3 billion in missed state funding. Districts that rely heavily on government funding are in a precarious situation, while wealthier districts with more local revenue appear to be better off.
According to Chris Lilienthal, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, schools have been forced to suspend afterschool programs and implement spending freezes. At least three school districts are on the brink of closure altogether.
The suspension of federal SNAP nutrition benefits has also had a significant impact – nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, including 713,000 children, stand to lose access to this vital support. The loss of these benefits is causing "concerns" among educators and parents alike, according to Lilienthal.
President Trump's administration claims it will use contingency funds to pay out partial SNAP benefits for November following a judge's order. However, those partial payments may take several weeks – exacerbating the already dire situation in Pennsylvania.
With bipartisan talks between senators predicted to bring an end to the shutdown by this week, there are glimmers of hope that Pennsylvania organizations and families will soon receive the support they need – but until then, the state remains locked in its own budget impasse, leaving those most vulnerable exposed.
. I'm worried about all these non-profits like PCADV that are struggling to make ends meet. They're doing such vital work and now it's being threatened by politics 
. And what about the schools? $5.3 billion in missed funding is a huge amount, especially for districts that rely heavily on government support 
. It's heartbreaking to think about kids losing access to SNAP benefits too – that's just cruel 
. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that bipartisan talks can wrap this up soon and get some relief to these organizations and families 
.
This is getting outta hand... Non-profits like PCADV are already on thin ice with 53% of their budget coming from federal funds. Adding a government shutdown to the mix? Forget about it. They're gonna have to shut down or cut services big time. And schools, man... $5.3 billion is just crazy talk. I mean, what's the state even thinking?! 
this is sooo bad for all those aid groups and schools in pennsylvania!!! like can't the gov just work together or something 
?? pcadv's ceo said it's a disaster for non-profit programs providing services to people... that's just heartbreaking 
schools are suspending afterschool programs and implementing spending freezes... at least three districts are even on the brink of closure 
this is literally a perfect storm 
. It's like a perfect storm - federal funding for PCADV is at 53% 
. And schools are in a similar situation, waiting for $5.3 billion in missed funding 
. I just hope lawmakers come together soon & find a solution. It's heartbreaking to think about all the ppl affected by this shutdown, especially kids who rely on SNAP benefits 
. But at least there's glimmer of hope w/ bipartisan talks... Fingers crossed they get it done ASAP! 
u know im gonna say somethin about dis? pennsylvania is gettin hit hard rn cuz of dat gov shutdown. like, organizations helpin out ppl who really need it are stuck between a rock n a hard place - federal funds or state funds, they cant get both lol. schools r also gettin slammed w/ no funding & afterschool programs r gettin suspended...its just not right 
...and now these people might actually have to choose between eating or paying rent. That's just cruel. 
