* The Bedford County commissioners on Tuesday publicly questioned the budget passed by the state House, arguing that planned funding cuts would hamper the county’s ability to provide services. […] “I haven’t seen anything like this,” Commissioner Chairman Josh Lang said in an interview after the meeting. “This has been one of the most concerning (budgets) since my time being a commissioner.”
* Of programs and grants totaling about $287,000 this fiscal year, the county stands to lose $100,000 under the Republican plan, according to a chart the commissioners published Tuesday. State money for adult and juvenile probation would be slashed completely, the commissioners said, leaving an 18 percent gap in funding for the office.
* The Bedford commissioners weren’t the only ones to question the budget proposal Tuesday. Blair County leaders also expressed concern about the proposed 2017-18 state budget cuts that will make a difference in dollars distributed to counties.
Altoona Mirror: Bedford leaders question GOP budget
Commissioners say county could lose $100K for programs, grants this fiscal year
By Ryan Brown
BEDFORD — The Bedford County commissioners on Tuesday publicly questioned the budget passed by the state House, arguing that planned funding cuts would hamper the county’s ability to provide services.
In a resolution at their Tuesday meeting, the commissioners took a firm stand against the current form of House Bill 218, which represents House Republicans’ bargaining base as they negotiate with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. The resolution was a strong statement from the Republican-dominated county toward a Legislature controlled by the same party.
“I haven’t seen anything like this,” Commissioner Chairman Josh Lang said in an interview after the meeting. “This has been one of the most concerning (budgets) since my time being a commissioner.”
Of programs and grants totaling about $287,000 this fiscal year, the county stands to lose $100,000 under the Republican plan, according to a chart the commissioners published Tuesday. State money for adult and juvenile probation would be slashed completely, the commissioners said, leaving an 18 percent gap in funding for the office. Other courthouse expenses reimbursed by the state — including pay for a president judge, jurors’ per diems and interpreters’ fees — would no longer be covered, leaving county taxpayers on the hook. Several thousand dollars would also be cut for human services and homeless assistance, according to the resolution.
“It doesn’t reduce costs — the needs of our citizens do not magically go away just because the state doesn’t provide funding, and so counties’ human services caseloads remain the same,” the resolution reads. “And cuts in behavioral health and intermediate punishment, for instance, take away community supports and alternatives, making it more likely that offenders will end up in prison.”
Wolf and the Legislature have until July to reach a deal before their budget comes in late, a prospect that could ultimately lead to a partial government shutdown and service cutbacks. Wolf has proposed a budget that would rely on a minimum wage increase and some business tax increases, while the Republican plan would leave wages and taxes level while relying on liquor-store privatization.
A growing state deficit has complicated matters and could lead to tough negotiations in the coming weeks.
The House Republican plan passed in April, 114-84, and has remained in the Senate Appropriations Committee since then. The plan passed largely along party lines: Rep. Judy Ward, R-Hollidaysburg, and Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, voted in favor, although Rep. John D McGinnis, R-Altoona, voted no.
In Harrisburg for a House session Tuesday, Topper expressed surprise that county officials would publicly oppose the House plan without raising their concerns with lawmakers first.
“I guess I’m a little surprised that they would pass a resolution like that without talking to me personally. … If you’re going to talk about the budget I vote for, I would think professional courtesy would indicate some conversations that would lend themselves to that,” Topper said.
Lang said counties like Bedford would have to raise taxes or find alternative means to pay for cut services and reimbursements. And because the state operates on a July-to-July fiscal year as opposed to counties’ calendar-year plans, the cuts would hit before Bedford officials can factor changes into their own budget, he noted.
“These are legislative mandates, that we have to provide these services. Ultimately, I kind of feel like we’re getting the buck passed on to us,” Lang said.
Topper offered an alternative idea: that, by reducing the state’s role and leaving those responsibilities to the counties, local taxpayers will have more direct control over their own funds.
“If we want a smaller state government, that has to be reflected in our budget,” he said. “That’s what I ran on and that’s what I’ll continue to work toward.”
The Bedford commissioners weren’t the only ones to question the budget proposal Tuesday. Blair County leaders also expressed concern about the proposed 2017-18 state budget cuts that will make a difference in dollars distributed to counties.
Department of Social Services Director Jim Hudack told commissioners that the proposed 15 percent cut in county human services programs, under the block grant program, will affect the amount of housing assistance the county is able to offer.
A proposed $5 million cut in mental health programs funds, he added, will have a trickle-down effect too on the county.
“Whatever we get, we will go forth and do the best we can,” Hudack said.
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