HARRISBURG - As the state budget deadline nears, a Lackawanna County lawmaker wants Gov. Tom Corbett and public welfare officials to have some face time with human service providers and recipients before determining how much state aid they get.
Rep. Kevin Haggerty, D-112, Dunmore, will introduce a House resolution urging the Corbett administration to agree to face-to-face meetings with agencies providing human services. He said the policy should be carried out by future governors, too.
"The need for such policy has risen from the alarming trend of budget cuts aimed at the Department of Public Welfare since the great recession," Mr. Haggerty said.
Specifically, the lawmaker cited drastic cuts in state aid to county-based family centers and health clinics. He said such meetings could avert some planned cuts and lead to better solutions to chronic funding problems.
Mr. Haggerty's resolution surfaces as the House Republican majority prepares to unveil a $28.3 billion state budget bill today reflecting a tighter state revenue picture since Mr. Corbett unveiled his $28.4 billion proposal in February.
The bill introduction at a Capitol news conference is designed to meet sunshine timetables for the adoption of a state budget by the June 30 deadline at the start of the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Lawmakers face a big question on whether to extend a state block grant program for seven county-run human service programs tried out in 20 counties to the other 47 counties. The block grant covers services for mental illness, mental and physical disabilities, addiction treatment, children and youth, behavioral health and homeless assistance.
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley said Tuesday the administration's goal is to provide the block grant approach to all counties.
Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-18, Bensalem, chairman of the House Human Services Committee, will seek changes in the block grant.
Mr. DiGirolamo wants to restore an $84 million cut made last year to the human services programs.
Meanwhile, Mr. DiGirolamo scheduled a committee meeting next week on his bill.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com