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COUNTIES RELEASE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE REPORT
For counties, one of the greatest challenges facing their corrections systems is the fast-growing population of inmates with mental illness and untreated or undertreated substance abuse issues. Building on several years' priority work, CCAP members created a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Task Force to study causes, consider best practices, provide education for counties, identify barriers and ultimately develop a plan and recommendations. The Task Force's final report was released in conjunction with the CCAP Annual Conference in early August, and both the full report and the executive summary are available at www.pacounties.org by clicking Legislative Action Center under the Government Relations tab.
As part of its charge, the Task Force considered several specific areas, including Medicaid and other coverage and creation of the necessary structures for inmate qualification for health insurance. The Task Force also examined capacity for services, such as availability of diversion programs, community behavioral health treatment services, availability of medications on release and potential for regionalization of critical service beds. Risk management, assessment tools and use of data to drive placement decisions were considered, as were the role of crisis intervention and improving staff training. Finally, the group looked at the needs and concerns of special populations.
Six main goals are identified in the report, each delineating objectives outlining local efforts, policy change, stakeholder engagement, best practices and further research. Among those goals is to encourage counties to employ successful strategies to control the need for incarceration, such as investments in community-based options. Another goal explores effective supports and services to reduce entry into the criminal justice system and improve outcomes for re-entry. Still another goal seeks to expand training, education and awareness efforts to improve public perception and understanding. Special populations and unique circumstances (e.g., gender and juveniles) were also identified, with a particular focus on the needs of veterans.
Overarching all of the goals and objectives outlined in the report, the Task Force found a significant need to engage multiple communities, including lawmakers, local staff, citizens, judges and other local partners. Assuring collaboration and buy-in were themes that wove through each area, as the Task Force identified known issues and suggested strategies and action steps to allow for progress despite those issues.
While the Task Force was originally created for a six-month period to develop its findings and recommendations, the Association has authorized it to continue its work through the end of 2016, to address numerous issues identified where additional research is needed before recommendations can be made.
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MOODY'S REVISES PENNSYLVANIA OUTLOOK
As of Aug. 5, Moody's Investors Service revised Pennsylvania's outlook from negative to stable following the most recent budget action for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Along with the stable outlook projected for the commonwealth, Moody's also affirmed the Aa3 general obligation ratio, and the A1 and A2 ratings on other bonds and lease financings in the commonwealth. The update acknowledged the state's problems surrounding the recent budget negotiations and performance, and its struggles to balance future budgets as pension contributions and other mandated expenditures continue to grow, but noted that those problems are less likely to cause major financial issues such as liquidity deterioration, significant budget imbalances, and other pressures. The summary acknowledged its recognition of the recent budget impasse occurring in FY 2015-2016, and further justified the improved rating despite difficulties in addressing growing pension contributions, political gridlock, budget gaps, and the depletion of the state's rainy day funds. The most recent outlook cited other factors that may lead to further upgrades, accompanied by other influences that could result in future downgrades.
Alongside the stable financial outlook for Pennsylvania, Moody's also upgraded the outlook for the state's school district pre-default enhancement program, resulting in lower costs associated with school district issued debt. The recent financial outlook improvement for the commonwealth also follows the S&P Global Ratings decision to remove Pennsylvania from the CreditWatch list after the passage of the FY 2016-2017 state budget.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE EXAMINES VOTING MACHINE TECHNOLOGY
The House State Government Committee met in Harrisburg on Aug. 9 to examine voting machine technology in the state, specifically HR 808, sponsored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny). The resolution would direct the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to establish a task force and advisory committee on voting system technology modernization composed of various stakeholders and experts across the state including county commissioners and election directors. The task force would be charged with reviewing current voting systems and providing recommendations related to voting system technology modernization, as well as identifying the accompanying technical and financial assistance to counties associated with those potential options.
Among the testifiers was Washington County assistant election director Wes Parry, who referenced issues related to the short lifespan of computer systems, the costs associated with new systems and repairs and noted that there is a wide variance in county needs and certification of voting technology. Machines in his region have not been replaced in more than a decade, he reported, and he estimated his county's annual repair costs would reach $20,000 by 2019 .
In addition to challenges of technology, Parry explained that mandated election processes, such as meeting the requirement for an elected judge of elections, two inspectors of elections and appointed clerks, create their own challenges in assuring that polls will be open on Election Day.
Relatedly, SR 394, sponsored by Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) and adopted in June by the Senate, also directs the JSGC to perform a study of voting systems, the administration of elections, and technology to be reported to the Senate. The Senate resolution establishes an advisory committee consisting of county commissioners and county election officials, among others. The study, to be completed in 18 months, will further review and analyze election and voting-related matters from other states, survey counties in the state regarding voting system upgrades and administration, and observe the cost associated with recommended improvements and upgrades.
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AMENDMENT TO HOUSING PROGRAM OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
In late 2015, Gov. Wolf signed HB 794 into law as Act 58 of 2015, to provide funding throughout the state for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund, which is also referred to as the state Housing Trust Fund. Prior to Act 58, PHARE was funded through Act 13 impact fees and was accessible only in counties impacted by shale gas drilling.
Because Act 58 of 2015 now will allow PHARE funding to be distributed to all 67 counties, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) published notice in late July of an amendment to the PHARE program to incorporate the new revenue. While the amended plan was originally open for a 45-day comment period, the Agency has since extended the deadline for comment until Oct. 11. The PHARE plan amendment can be found at www.PHFA.org, by clicking PHARE on the bottom of the page under the Resources heading, then Act 58 of 2015, with directions to submit comments at the end of the document.
Following final approval of the amendment by PHFA's Board, interested and eligible organizations will be able to apply for funding to support the expansion and enhancement of affordable housing in all Pennsylvania counties. PHFA expects to announce a Request for Proposals outlining the use of and priorities for PHARE/realty transfer tax funding this fall. Eligible applicants will include local governments, non-profit and for-profit groups, and economic, community and housing development organizations.
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ADMINISTRATION GO-TIME INITIATIVE ANNOUNCES $150M IN SAVINGS
Gov. Wolf's administration recently announced that it exceeded its goal to find $150 million in savings during FY 2016-2017 through the Governor's Office of Transformation, Innovation, Management and Efficiency (GO-TIME). The Office, launched in February 2015 as a successor to Gov. Corbett's Office of Innovation and the Office of Management and Productivity under Gov. Rendell prior to that, seeks administrative means to streamline efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars.
Gov. Wolf indicated that the Department of General Services saved $68 million through improved procurement strategies, including a reverse auction process that saved $17 million on road salt. Another $500,000 came from reductions in inmate transportation costs, with $100,000 in savings through an update to the Online Park Reservation System and additional savings from the implementation of online voter registration. Gov. Wolf noted as well that the Department of Transportation increased productivity by $11 million by deploying mobile applications for its construction inspectors, and added tracking devices to its plow trucks, which is anticipated to save $1.4 million over the next four to six years through reduced salt usage and quicker response times.
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CCAP VOTING MATTERS
On Aug. 16, CCAP members designated by their counties as voting delegates received an electronic ballot for the proposed policy resolutions that were deliberated at the Annual Conference business meeting on Aug. 9. Under the CCAP Bylaws, the electronic ballot will remain open for 10 days, and delegates have until close of business on Friday, Aug. 26 to complete and submit their electronic ballot, which constitutes final action on each resolution. Any county with questions or needing assistance should contact PACountiesGR@pacounties.org.
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