United Way of Pennsylvania previously provided our members with analysis of the Governor's proposed budget and reaction from the legislature. Members who did not receive this information can find it on UWP's members only site. 

Overall, the Governor's budget address was received with some optimism due to the tone he struck about achieving cost savings and avoiding broad-based tax increases. There is still a significant gap between the Governor and the House and Senate majority over the issue of public employee pensions, and Republican legislators are also focused on "bending the cost curve" of health care and human services in the PA budget. Meanwhile, the task of balancing the state budget has not gotten easier, with January revenue collections coming in $50 million less than anticipated. This increases the 2016-2017 budget shortfall to $417 million on paper, but there are additional shortages stemming from gaming revenues which have not been implemented, as well as mandated costs which were not budgeted in the enacted agreement. 

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin holding budget hearings on February 21. These will continue through the rest of February and mid-March. At these hearings, legislators will ask questions of all state agency heads, as well as state related agencies and institutions of higher education, in order to gain a stronger understanding of the Governor's budget proposal. 

The United Way of Pennsylvania public policy committee established United Way's budget priorities for the 2017-2018 state budget. United Way is supporting increased state funding in strategic areas which will result in short or long-term cost savings to state government. United Way has not taken a position on revenue. These priorities will be communicated to the House and Senate leadership, as well as members of the Appropriations committees in each chamber, as the budget hearings get underway. 

United Way of Pennsylvania and our member organizations will advocate for the following: 

• breaking down information and referral silos of information
• allowing multi-channel (including text and web access) to I and R services 24/7
• providing one stop for constituents to find state and locally delivered services, funded through public or private sources, to help with their needs
• Reducing redundancy currently caused by developing and maintaining multiple information and referral databases
• Providing comprehensive referrals provided by trained call specialists who are accessing a complete and up to date database of public and private services available in a community
• Using 2-1-1 data to measure the greatest unmet needs in our state so that all funders can make decisions about how to invest in services that achieve outcomes.

• Streamlining of licensure requirements and single point of contact for all licensure requirements
• Development of an organizational structure in which services are aligned by key populations and needs in PA: seniors, children, adults and children with disabilities, adult and child protective services. Basic needs supports (Food, housing/shelter, domestic violence) for all populations should be coordinated under one deputate.
• Increased coordination of physical and behavioral health care
• Coordinated case management for families who are receiving multiple services and supports
• Increased focus on home and community based services for Pennsylvania's growing senior population