Pocono News Section

Service Groups React to Budget Impasse Continuing

Service Groups React to Budget Impasse Continuing - Friday, September 11, 2009 at 5:51PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Friday, Sep 11, 2009 @ 05:51pm EDT

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Gary Drapek oversees the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. He spent many days in Harrisburg asking lawmakers to come through with a budget.

"In my opinion, it's an abomination, it's an embarrassment," said Drapek, who adds two main groups are suffering, including day care providers.

"A lot of these centers are servicing single moms who are working," said Drapek. "So the question then becomes, if the centers close, how does the mom get to work?"

But there's another group of people that remain extremely vulnerable.

"The senior citizens programs are in trouble," Drapek said.

That includes Meals on Wheels in Lackawanna County. That's why people like Kevin Haggerty of Scranton have tried to raise money and collect donations for that group and other area food kitchens.

"It's heart-wrenching - the loss of hope and despair in some of these people," said Haggerty, who started a political reform group. "They depend on these services. They paid their taxes once upon a time, they expect their government to fulfill their needs, and they failed us."

Both men hope lawmakers can come up with a quality budget immediately.

"I was pleased that today, at the very least, lawmakers were talking and there was some movement," said Drapek.

"We got a little bit excited last night when we got news that there was an agreement, but the bipartisan standoff is not done," added Haggerty.

Representatives Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) and Keith McCall (D-Carbon) apologized to people affected by the budget.

"It's been difficult for our communities, for our counties," said Eachus. "There's been an unfortunate dislocation of services for many Pennsylvanians."

"I really want to say I'm sorry and apologize to the people of the commonwealth," said McCall. "Not for what we as Democrats stood for - we stood for what we believed in and what was right. But I do apologize that it has taken us this long to come together and reach this compromise."

But five hours later, Governor Ed Rendell disagreed with that compromise. He says he'll meet with legislators Friday night or Saturday morning. If he vetoes the proposal, the House and Senate could override it. But it could be difficult to get the required number of votes.