Pocono News Section

Budget Protest Held in Luzerne County

Budget Protest Held in Luzerne County - Friday, August 21, 2009 at 5:45PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Friday, Aug 21, 2009 @ 05:45pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Pennsylvania still does not have a budget. Many local programs that depend on state funding may have to shut their doors.

Hundreds of people who need those services turned out today to let their voices be heard. The message was simple - "People First."

Most of those who packed the Luzerne County Courthouse rotunda say lost in all the talk of money, are real people with real life problems.

As state lawmakers try to work out a budget deal in Harrisburg, hundreds of families in our area are concerned their lives will devastated.

Rabbi Larry Kaplan of Beth Israel said, "We're all here because we try to help. Sometimes we are helping loved ones, others are simply strangers. The reality is Harrisburg needs to be able to hear about that."

Among the hundreds here are folks who depend on social service agencies for services like mental health counseling, alcohol and drug rehab and transportation for the physically disabled. For some here, itÕs the first time they are speaking out in public.

Joseph Fedak of Warrior Run said, "I see a lot of people in my partial hospitalization that aren't getting the help they need. I know about other people out there that donÕt get help they need. That's what' I've been fighting for."

Others read letters to the powers that be. Jermey Vandermark of Swoyersville read, "Dear Governor Ed Rendell, Please pass the state budget because people of Luzerne County need your support more than ever to put food on their table and clothes on their backs."

One of the hardest hit agencies is Head Start, which provides services for families and children. Two centers were closed, 132 kids are no longer being served and 12 employees were laid off.