By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
SOMERSET — Like so many, June Stimmel is angry with leaders in Harrisburg.
A board member of Tableland, Stimmel has seen the faces of those who have lost work because of the state budget impasse.
She said 10 local pre-kindergarten teachers are out of work because the state legislature has yet to adopt a budget.
“They can’t get their act together to solve this problem,” she said. “That’s reprehensible. It’s critical that we keep the Head Start program going.”
Stimmel was one of about 75 people who turned out for a rally the Somerset County Courthouse steps Wednesday.
They heard county leaders explain how the funding delay has hurt individuals, families and service programs. County officials demanded that a budget be passed to restore funding.
“Sadly, we are forced to watch the human-service system crumble,” county Commissioner Chairwoman Pamela Tokar-Ickes told the crowd. “And despite the impact on very real lives - many right here in Somerset County - there is no end to the budget impasse in sight.”
Pennsylvania has been operating without a budget since July 1, and county governments are scrambling to cope without state funds.
The General Assembly and Gov. Ed Rendell “created this crisis,” Tokar-Ickes said, not because of lack of money but because of politics.
“We need a state budget now,” she said. “The time for debate on political ideology must be set aside to meet the fiscal and moral obligation that falls on each and every member of the Pennsylvania state legislature and the governor.”
Jeff Masterson, executive director of the Community Action Partnership of Somerset County, said some employees have risked losing their homes and others have gone out of state to find work.
“I’m getting disgusted,” he said. “I’m asking the legislature to do what they’re hired to do.”
Freshman State Rep. Carl Metzger R-Somerset, said he ran for the job because he was “sick of business as usual” in Harrisburg.
He said state officials must stop surplus spending and fund “things that rally matter.”
“We have a moral obligation to fund these programs,” he said, but did not ssay when a budget might be adopted.
Salisbury resident Brandi Bender is one of the pre-K teachers who lost a job. With the school year under way, she is unable to find another teaching position.
“If I had know back in June this would happen would have been prepared to look at other options,” she said.
The rally was sponsored by the United Way of the Laurel Highlands, Somerset County commissioners and the Community Action Partnership for Somerset County.
