10/30/09 Special Pension Update
CCAP recommends that counties review and discuss with their actuaries county pension provisions in Act 44 of 2009 that could reduce pressure on county budgets. Act 44 gives counties clear authorization to access several asset valuation methodologies allowing counties to reduce the burden of annual required contributions for county pension plans.
CCAP Memo on Act 44 of 2009
Link to Act 44 of 2009 (Formerly HB 1828)
Summary of the Act Prepared By The Pennsylvania Public Employee Retirement Commission
10/20/09 - Payments Update
On October 19, Governor Rendell with State Treasurer Rob McCord and Budget Secretary Soderberg announced that the state has made approximatelty 3 billion dollars worth of payments to counties, school districts, and social service providers.
The Governor indicated that $225 million for child welfare, $122 million for childcare services, and $1.5 billion for basic and special education were among high priority payments that had been processed.
The Governor said that all but a handful of payments were yet to be made. Budget Secretary Soderberg followed that comment by saying payments that have yet to be processed are due to contracts that were not finalized before the budget or situations were the budget had to be passed before specific formulas could be run. She went on to explain that Medical Assistance Transportation and various payments to DCNR are examples of formula situations.
Governor Rendell also replied to a reporter on the issue of interest incurred by organizations that had taken out loans. He said that he will reexamine the issue once a total figure is produced by his staff.
10/11/09 Budget Update
Governor Rendell signed the budget bill (HB 1416), the Tax Code (HB 1531), and the Fiscal Code bill (HB 1614) in his office prior to a press conference on Friday, October 9.
In the press conference, Rendell noted that this budget took entirely too long. He said he is committed to doing better next year and will speak to his staff early next week to cushion the blow for FY 2012, when the stimulus funds run out.
Treasury has begun to review and process invoices so they can begin to cut checks on Tuesday, October 13. They will work to expedite payments by working with the banks to transmit electronic payments Wednesday. $3 billion is expected to be paid over the next week.
CCAP Written Analysis on the 2009-10 Commonwealth Budget
09/10 CCAP Budget Spreadsheet comparing the 08/09 Governor's Revised Available Budget and HB 1416 (the enacted budget)
Human Services Development Fund Allocations By County
Estimated Timeline and Budget Assessment from agencies of the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Act 10A - The Enacted Budget (HB 1416)
09/10 Budget Spreadsheet prepared by the House Democratic caucus showing the difference from the 08/09 Governor's Revised Available Budget ( Enacted budget with two budget cuts) and House Bill 1416 that the Governor has publicly said he will sign
Historical Funding Amounts by Commonwealth Agency
PA Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators Memo on Breakdown of Drug and Alcohol and Behaviorial Health Funding
8/20/09 - URGENT: Cash Flow And Use Of Federal Funds For Children and Youth and Drug and Alcohol Services