Nonprofits reach day 100 without funding
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
By: Susan Phillips
sphillips@whyy.org
Pennsylvania marks its 100th day without a budget Thursday. As a result, nonprofit social service providers are maxing out their credit, furloughing workers, and getting behind in their bills.
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Calcutta House provides housing and social services to people with AIDS. And because of the state budget impasse, has not been able to pay bills. Last week, CVS pharmacy stopped delivering prescription medication to the residents. The pharmacy reversed its decision. But Calcutta House director Matthew Teter says, he's still worried.
Teter: As we sit here providing direct services to people who depend on us each and every day. And the folks we serve, their lives don't stop because the folks in Harrisburg have not passed a budget. So, we're on pins and needles right now wondering what vendor will be next to say we're gonna stop providing goods and services to you because you haven't paid.
Teter says state owes them about $200,000 dollars. He says if there's no budget deal within the next couple weeks, he may have to stop paying workers.