Harrisburg, PA − September 10, 2025 − As the Pennsylvania State Budget stalemate enters its third month, Senator Lindsey M. Williams used her time on the Senate Floor this week to highlight stories of Pennsylvanians who have been hurt by this impasse.
“Like all of my colleagues, I am hearing from individuals, families, and organizations from across my Senate District and across the state who are reaching out to share how the legislature’s failure to do our job is hurting them,” said Senator Williams. “Sharing their stories, in their own words, is a powerful reminder that this budget is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet: it is parents and children, schools and libraries, life-saving services for our friends and neighbors. I hope the Senate returns to Session sooner than our scheduled October 20th date pass a budget and fund the programs that our fellow Pennsylvanians need and deserve.”
Below are some of the stories that Senator Williams shared on the Senate Floor this week. Video of her floor remarks can be found on her website.
From Libraries: “I’m writing with urgent concern about how the ongoing state budget delay is impacting our library district centers. Since the fiscal year began on July 1st, these centers have been operating without the state funds they depend on to maintain services. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh serves as our district center and is responsible for the delivery of library materials between libraries throughout Allegheny County. This interlibrary service is consistently rated by county residents as the most valued library services provided.
I respectfully urge you to work with leadership and your colleagues across the aisle to pass both the budget and appropriations language as soon as possible, ideally before the end of September, before library services face more severe disruptions that would be detrimental to our entire community.”
From Human Service Providers: “Most children’s services are mandated: they are court-ordered and outlined in federal and state laws and regulations. Providers are also contractually obligated to continue services even if payment stops. Despite this arrangement, whenever there is a delay in approving the state budget, funding for these publicly mandated services are never made available to the professionals and organizations that must continue to deliver these services.
These organizations are already operating on razor-thin margins and these expenses resulted in funds that could have otherwise gone towards Pennsylvania’s most challenged communities. Another round of withheld payments for Pennsylvania’s human services community would be catastrophic.”
From Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Programs: “I am reaching out today to share with you the devastating impact the budget impasse is having on domestic violence and rape crisis programs in your district and across the Commonwealth. Some programs have already laid off staff, and others plan to do the same in the following weeks. Multiple programs have determined that they will cease to exist if the budget does not pass – literally cease to operate- if funds are not deposited in their accounts by October 10th. Domestic violence and rape crisis services are essential victim services whose funding should never be delayed. Please find a budget agreement or an alternative mechanism that allows domestic violence and rape crisis programs to receive funding immediately.”
From Families of Pre-K Counts Students: “Trying to explain to a four-year-old why he cannot go to school—when he has been so excited —was devastating. For him, it is confusing and heartbreaking. For us as parents, it is discouraging and deeply concerning.
Programs like Pre-K Counts are not optional luxuries; they are essential building blocks for children’s futures. This delay doesn’t just inconvenience families—it interrupts children’s learning at a critical stage of development and leaves teachers and staff in limbo as well. Families like mine rely on this program not only for education, but also for stability and routine, that allows parents to work and provide for their households.
Every day this budget remains unresolved is another day our children fall behind, and these are days they cannot get back. I urge you and your colleagues to put aside political differences and prioritize the needs of Pennsylvania’s youngest learners. Our kids should not be the collateral damage of a budget impasse.”
From School Districts: “Despite missing over $4.2 million in state payments since July 1, special education, transportation, and other legally required services must continue—without the state reimbursements they are designed to include—compressing the rest of our operating budget.
We appreciate the complexity of the budget process and the competing priorities you must balance. At the same time, our students, families, and staff need stability. A timely, complete budget—one that maintains core education subsidies and predictable reimbursement schedules—will allow us to keep our commitments to students while protecting local taxpayers from unnecessary borrowing costs.”
From School Counselors: “For the third year in a row, student mental health needs were the top challenge facing our schools, according to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. While there is still a lot of work to be done, schools have used the investments in public education over the last two years to hire school counselors and other student services professionals, closing many of the gaps in support across the Commonwealth.
This progress grinds to a halt without a state budget, as districts are unable to make investments in hiring and retaining staff and may even be forced to reverse that progress through cuts.”
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