Governor Josh Shapiro shows a weld he made at Steamfitters Local 449 in Jackson Township in November 2023. Shane Potter/Butler EaglePennsylvania has now gone more than 100 days without a state budget. On Wednesday, Shapiro accused Senate Republicans of playing politics with the budget. “It has been 246 days since I introduced my budget. The Senate has only managed to come to work 32 times, and they have not passed a budget,” the governor said. Butler Eagle File Photo

In the Thursday, Oct. 9, edition of the Butler Eagle, we learned about the backlog of money the state owes organizations in Butler County thanks to the ongoing budget impasse.

The money would cover things like the first and second quarter advance payments to agencies in the Human Services Department including Children & Youth Services and the Area Agency on Aging, according to Ann Brown, county budget director.

“There’s $13 million sitting out there waiting that’s due to the county,” Brown told commissioners during their Wednesday meeting.

Brown said the county is using money market accounts to cover those costs, and the money will come once a budget is passed, but that still deprives the county of the interest that would otherwise be earned.

Commission chairwoman Leslie Osche said the county is considering withholding some fees the county collects for the state as a way to free up cash flow.

She pointed out the county likely can’t withhold tax payments due to the state, but can consider withholding fees.

We think that is an excellent idea. Even if the dollar amount would be relatively small, the principle in this situation is important.

Because lawmakers have failed in their constitutionally mandated duty to pass a budget by June 30, more than 100 days ago, there are real costs being passed on to counties statewide.

That’s unacceptable and even a small gesture like withholding some fees sends that message.

— JK