State Budget Briefings

Posted by on February 23, 2009

United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania will sponsor its Seventh Annual State Budget Briefings in March.

The two forums, held on March 20th in Philadelphia and March 27th in Norristown, will feature detailed reports on the FY 2009-2010 Pennsylvania state budget from state budget secretary Mary Soderberg and state welfare secretary Estelle Richman. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to better understand the complexities of the state budget, particularly as it effects health and human service programs.

At the briefings, advocates and community representatives expect to get an update on budget cuts made necessary by the economic downturn, and the Governor’s plan for investment of new federal funding that is part of President Obama’s economic recovery package.

The Secretaries will also be asked for a response to the request of area hunger advocates to increase funding in the state budget for the State Food Purchase Program to $24 million, an increase the advocates said will ensure that the 10 percent of Pennsylvania’s households suffering from food insecurity will not fall hungry.  They have also asked the  Governor toincrease Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits for low-income moms and seniors, the activists said. The program currently provides $20 worth of vouchers for Pennsylvania grown fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets to low-income seniors and WIC participants.

The briefings will take place on Friday, March 20th from 2:30-4:30pm at United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, and on Friday, March 27th, at the Montgomery County Human Services Center, 1430 DeKalb Street in Norristown.

Because space is limited, pre-registration is required.  Email Leslie Stickler at lstickler@pec-cares.org or fax your name, agency, phone and email address to 215-386-6290.

The budget forums are co-sponsored by the People’s Emergency Center.  For more information, call 215-386-7522 x254.