Business Journal NORTHEAST
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PENNSYLVANIA
THE REGION’S AWARD-WINNING SOURCE OF BUSINESS NEWS AND INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 2016 VOL. 31 NO. 02
BuDgET IMPASSE
For Business, So Much Uncertainty By Kathy Ruff
THE NEw ENTREPRENEuRS ..............PAgE 5 ALSO INSIDE:
Get it done!
That’s the sentiment in Pennsylvania by those asked what they think about lawmakers’ inability to compromise on a budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. “The information and the feedback I have gotten from businesses concerning the delay, the budget impasse and delay of passing a budget is it’s time to negotiate and move something forward,” says Darlene Robbins, president of the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association, Pottsville, Schuylkill County. “It’s time to get the work done.” The finalization of that work began on December 29 when Gov. Wolf signed a stopgap budget that provided emergency funding — a release equal to six months of funding — for education and schools and nonprofits. The all-too-real threat of school and agency closures ramped up public pressure for action.
Focus on Architects & Engineers.......................PAgE 30 Robbins
Kissner
“With the school funding that had been impassed, that’s our life-long learning,” says Robbins. “They are our future. You were looking at workforce development (programs) that were specifically providing employability or life-long learning skills. So it really came back full circle to employers that these individuals weren’t able to continue providing the core programs because of the budget impasse.” That impasse also stymied economic development efforts, making the state a less attractive place to bring
Stelle
Sellix
jobs because of its uncertainty and lack of incentives. The governor’s line-item vetoes in stopgap budget cut more than $6 billion in funding — including $3.1 billion for education and education services. “It’s time to get it done,” says Robbins. “We can’t continue like this. It’s not about politics. It’s about policy and it’s time that they moved the policy, the budget forward that we’re able to function and remain competitive as all the neighboring states and the United States, which we weren’t able to do. It’s time to move forward.” Many people agree, including those affected in the nonprofit sector. “Across the state, libraries are definitely feeling the brunt of what is going on with the budget impasse,” says Valerie Sellix, library director for the Lehighton Area Memorial Library, Carbon County. “There are state-funded libraries across the state that have had to cut hours and lay off staff, even go so far as to close altogether because we rely heavily on state funds. It’s sad and unfortunate because some people can’t pay their staff for a job that is very important.” According to Sellix, people use libraries every day not only for books but also for computer classes, Internet access and job resources.
Focus on Dollars & Sense.............................PAgE 18
Focus on Elder Care..........PAgE 28
COMPROMISE AND LEADERSHIP
Sharon McCrone, Ph.D., executive director of Employment Opportunity & Training Center in Scranton, places a sign in protest of the state budget impasse. Photo by Butch Comegys courtesy of The Times-Tribune.
TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B01] | 01/27/16
18:33 | GRAHAMTOM
“People need to put aside their political ambitions and reach across the aisle and say, ‘Things need to get done,’” she says. “There are people that are relying on this.” Relying on lawmakers to compromise and reach Please see COVER STORY, Page 4
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