State Budget Impasse

Non profits, let's talk about the budget impasse. Can you believe that we are into day 64 of a PA State Budget Impasse! Certainly this is not an issue for everyone, particularly the state representatives that are responsible for the fiscal management of PA. But let me tell you who it is an issue for, EVERYONE. If you never received a state dollar in your life, please know that you have interfaced with someone who has. Know that in some aspect of your life, you interface with someone who will be impacted by the lack of services the state is responsible. Even if you are wealthy beyond years, service may lack at your favorite restaurant because that friendly young lady you tip so graciously, will not be there because she no longer has child care.

More importantly than the revenue needed to continue operating agencies, it is the service delivery interuppted. Addison Behavioral Care go into the homes of parents that have indications of abusing or neglecting their children. When Addison reaches the point that our counselors can not go into those homes to alleviate those potentially deadly situations, the community is at risk. Addison also provide drug and alcohol treatment to individuals. If those citizens are not afforded their treatment, crime will rise because often, the population we serve do not have the money necessary to feed their disease of addiction. Thus, they rob and steal from the wealthy (who they believe don't care and have disposable income) to satisfy their disease. Children will suffer because parents become unavailable to their children.

Addison can not conceive why this isn't important to the masses. Addison is a small sample of the larger picture of people not receiving services. Elderly, babies, children, very vulnerable populations left out in the cold. The same people that voted for the politicians. Marc Cherna stated yesterday that the department of Human Services see over 233, 000 people in Allegheny county. That is over 200, 000 votes.

Votes. Hmmmmmm, votes. votes votes votes votes votes. Legislators, next election you will need votes. You will need people communicating how wonderful you were to your constituents and how you did everything in your power to make sure your constituents where taken care of. Elections have been called on a mere 100 votes. The social service community has access to 200,000 votes, not to mention the reach of the not profit world.

NON PROFIT COMMUNITY, LET'S TALK ABOUT VOTES!