STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL RELEASED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

By Deb Beck, MSW
President/DASPOP

            On 2/8/06, Governor Rendell released his proposed budget for the state Fiscal Year 2006-07.  (The state Fiscal Year begins July 1, 2006 and ends June 30, 2007.)  This budget will be reviewed and debated by the Pennsylvania Legislature before the development of the final spending plan for the state.

Throughout February and March, the Pennsylvania Senate and House Appropriations Committees will hold separate, department-by-department budget hearings. 

          After the hearings, the Pennsylvania Legislature will debate the Governor’s proposed spending plan and will begin work to enact the new state budget.

          The Governor’s proposed budget for state FY06-07 includes:

Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs:
--  An increase of $2.727 million for the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs
     for a total of $41.373 million.  This increase fails to restore FY04-05 cuts by
     $174 thousand.

--  An increase of $244 thousand to the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs
     from the Liquor Control Board for education programs.

--  A projected decrease of $1.932 million from the Federal Drug and Alcohol
    Block Grant.

--  Projected level funding for the Federal DFSC-Special Programs for Student
     Assistance of $1.125 million.

Department of Public Welfare:
--  Level funding for the Behavioral Health Services Initiative of $43.981 million.
--  Level funding for Act 152 of 1988 of $18.200 million.
--  Level funding for Health Choices – GA MNO/CNO of $61 million.
--  Level funding of $12 million for the state share of the Intergovernmental Transfer
    Program.  This line item is usually negotiated between the state and the County   
    Commissioners after passage of the state budget.  It is unlikely that the counties
    will be able to provide county revenues for drug and alcohol this year.  

PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency:
--  Level funding for the Intermediate Punishment Drug and Alcohol Treatment
    program of $15.825 million.

 

State and Federal Funding for Drug and Alcohol

          In summary, the Governor’s proposed budget partially restores cuts made to the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs in State FY05-06 and projects a reduction in funding from the Federal Alcohol and Drug Block Grant of $1.932 million for a total reduction in funding of over $2 million to the Department of Health.

          In addition, the phasing out of the Federal Intergovernmental Transfer Program reduced funding by $5 million last year and is likely to further reduce support for addiction treatment services by an additional $4.197 million in the new state fiscal year.

 

PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET HEARINGS

SENATE BUDGET HEARINGS – PUBLIC WELCOME

PA Commision on Crime & Delinquency	February 27, 2006	2:45 p.m.
Insurance Department	March 1, 2006	10:30 a.m.
Department of Health	March 2, 2006	1:15 p.m.
Department of Corrections	March 7, 2006	2:45 p.m.
Department of Public Welfare	March 9, 2006	9:00 a.m.

All Senate Appropriations hearings are held in the Senate Majority Caucus Room, Main Capitol Building, Room 156.

HOUSE BUDGET HEARINGS – PUBLIC WELCOME

            *Presentation by House Members February 15, 2006                 9:30 a.m.

          Representative Gene DiGirolamo will present his request for $10 million for
          addiction treatment

Department of Corrections	February 23, 2006	3:00 p.m.
Office of Attorney General	March 1, 2006	9:00 a.m.
Department of Health	March 1, 2006	1:00 p.m.
PA Commision on Crime & Delinquency	March 2, 2006	9:00 a.m.
Department of Public Welfare	March 3, 2006	2:00 p.m.
Insurance Department	March 9, 2006	9:00 a.m.

         
All House Appropriations hearings are held in the House Majority Caucus Room, Main Capitol Building, Room 140. 

This information has been provided by: Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania (DASPOP)