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CAAP Update

CAAP Update provides regular information on items of interest to Community Action agencies in Pennsylvania.

Special Edition                                                       July 1, 2013
In This Issue
Just in Time, Again
Medicaid Expansion has Uncertain Future
In the News
Career Opportunity
Happy 150 th Anniversary
CAAP Quick Links
 

Just in Time, Again

Governor Tom Corbett, surrounded by 29 House Republicans and several members of his administration, signed a $28.375 billion state budget bill into law Sunday evening.

 

"For a third year in a row, I have the honor to sign a budget that is balanced, that is on-time and that honors the promises I made to the citizens of Pennsylvania," said Corbett just before he signed the general appropriations bill at 10:15 p.m.

 

The bill's spend total is an increase of $645 million - 2.3 percent - over the current budget year. It's also $64 million less than what the governor's budget request in February. Proposals to raise transportation revenue, address pension reform and allow private sales of wine and liquor remained lodged in the Legislature. 

The state House of Representatives, after nearly four hours of debate, delivered a final, party-line vote - 111-92 - on House Bill 1437 just before 9 p.m. The Senate voted 33-17 to send the bill to the House earlier in the day.

 

However, the Legislature isn't done for the summer - there are other bills that need to be passed along with the state budget that have to be passed that will require the House to be in session on Monday and possibly Tuesday of this week. The Senate is expected to return to session Tuesday or Wednesday to finish their work. But the governor indicated the bill still meets the definition of an on-time budget.

 

Corbett explained: "There has to be a certification from the Secretary of the Budget and from the Revenue Department that we have enough money on hand going into the next year; I've signed those certifications" and they've been endorsed, "so yes, we're on time."

 

It is no surprise that comments on the budget fall along party lines.

 

"I think a lot of good is going to come out of this budget because it equally recognizes the burden of government spending on taxpayers," said Senate Appropriations Majority Chairman Jake Corman (R-Centre).

 

Senate Appropriations Minority Chairman Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said the budget fails to properly fund education, fund job creation, stimulate economic development, properly tax Marcellus Shale drilling, and close corporate tax loopholes.

 

Some of the more notable components of the budget are:

  • The budget contains an increase in funding for basic education funding. Pennsylvania's public schools will see an increase to $5.52 billion in the coming year, a $122.5 million increase over the current year's spending. That total is $32.5 million above the governor's initial request; 
  • It increases funding for Pre-K Counts by $5 million (6%) from 2012-13 to $87.3 million, and the Head Start Supplemental gets a $2 million (5.4%) increase to $39.2 million - consistent with the Governor's proposal;
  • Child care services for low-income working families is increased by $7.2 million (5%) over the Governor's proposal to $155.7 million, a 10% increase over 2012-13;
  • It provides level funding to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools ($412.7 million) and community colleges ($212 million), and a slight increase - $4.3 million in total - in funding for the state-related higher education institutions;
  • Programs administrated by the Department of Community and Economic Development get a $6.9 million (3%) funding increase over 2012-13 in this plan. The increase mostly is to increase funding for Pennsylvania First, a job creation grant program, although a number of other programs see funding increases and decreases;
  • Head Start Supplemental Assistance received $1.9 million increase to $39,178 million;
  • It increases funding by $20 million for Pennsylvanian with physical disabilities, and another $20 million to further reduce the waiting lists for persons with intellectual challenges;
  • It raises total funding, to $445 million, for the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
  • A total of $4 million to create the Community-Based Health Care Program to bring health care to people who live in areas without easy access to hospitals and clinics; and 
  • An additional $50 million for programs for older Pennsylvanians, such as home and community-based service and prescription drug financial assistance.

 

Medicaid Expansion has Uncertain Future

Reporting by Chris Comisac of CapitolWire

 

House Bill 1075, the Public Welfare Code bill that contains Medicaid expansion provisions, mandates Pennsylvania joins the federal Medicaid expansion program.

 

That was confirmed by state Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) the majority chairwoman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, following the Senate's 40-10 vote to approve the bill on Sunday evening, sending it to the House of Representatives for their consideration.

 

 When asked if the Medicaid program expands even if no agreement has been reached between the governor and the federal government on any of the conditions listed within the bill by July 1, 2014, the date specified by HB1075, Vance said, "Yes."

 

She said that many of those conditions are cost-savers for the state's Medicaid program, but acknowledged it's possible the federal government might not agree to them.

 

Senate Appropriations Minority Chairman Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia) was more confident that some type of deal will be worked out with the federal government.

 

Said Hughes: "I think the Obama administration has been watching very closely about what we're doing and we've been doing. We've talked to them on a regular basis and understand fully what their concerns are, what the existing law calls for, and what freedoms the state has or doesn't have in negotiations. So we think we're on good grounds with the Obama administration, and we'll [Senate Democrats] be monitoring the process as it goes forward."

 

And Hughes said he believed what he called a "historic" 40-10 vote sends a message to the House and Governor Tom Corbett that this is something that is very important to the Senate, and needs to be done as soon as possible.

 

But House Republicans have said they will not hold a floor vote for any bill that requires the state to expand its Medicaid program.

 

"Right now, we do not believe now is the appropriate time to, frankly, try and force the governor's hand ... it is an executive decision," said House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin on Saturday, citing the continued uncertainty regarding what the federal government might allow - or prohibit - the state from doing as part of a Medicaid expansion.

 

"It's kinda putting the cart before the horse," Miskin said of HB1075's proposal to require the governor to agree to expand Pennsylvania's Medicaid program and then negotiate the elements of an expansion.

 

However, after signing the state budget bill, Gov. Corbett, when asked about the Medicaid expansion provisions of the Welfare Code bill, declined to offer his position regarding those provisions.

 

Said Corbett: "First off, I don't have a bill on my desk - you're making an assumption. I'm not going to talk about that."

 

The governor did say his administration is still working with the federal government to come up with common sense solutions to make Pennsylvania's Medicaid program work better. Some of those proposals - such as work requirements, co-pays and using the private insurance market - are similar to conditions listed in HB1075.

 

"I'm not going to talk about anybody being forced or anything, but we are going to be looking for those reforms," said Corbett.

 

The House recessed for the day on Sunday after it passed the state budget bill. The chamber is scheduled to return for session on Monday, when House lawmakers are expected to consider several budget-related bills.

 

When asked what the House GOP might do, Miskin said Sunday evening there are several options available to the House GOP to avoid a floor vote on Medicaid expansion, and that the caucus is still considering all options.

 

Senate Republican leaders declined to say what their reaction might be if the House removed the Medicaid expansion language from HB1075 before sending it back to the Senate or sent necessary welfare code changes to the Senate in something other than a Welfare Code bill.

 In the News 

 STEP, Inc. - $200,000 boost for neighborhood improvement program considered 3 organizations progress toward possible merger

 

Central Pennsylvania Community Action - Community action group announces matched savings program, CPCA Needs Books, Puzzles and Video Donations, CPCA Drive to Benefit DuBois Flood Victims

 

Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley - Upcoming business events in the Lehigh Valley, Remember to lead, says National Penn's Fainor

   Career Opportunity

The Community Progress Council in York, PA has a career opportunity for a fiscal director. Position description and details on the CAAP employment webpage.

 Happy 150 th Anniversary
One hundred fifty years ago today the battle at Gettysburg began.
  
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the war's  bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address."
  
From July 1 through the holiday weekend, more than 200,000 people are expected to infiltrate the small southern PA town.
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Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
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Harrisburg, PA 17101
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This newsletter is financed, in part, by a CSBG grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.