The failure of the Pennsylvania Legislature to adopt a state budget after more than 16 weeks is inexcusable and unacceptable. Berks County Community Foundation is in the process of publishing a series of articles called “Government Cuts, Local Impacts.”Hospital charity costs are skyrocketing. Food banks are closing; people providing essential human services are being furloughed, and educational institutions are being forced to undertake expensive borrowings to continue operations.Meanwhile, at least $2.5 billion in payments to our county is sitting in state coffers, unable to be disbursed to crucial service providers in the community. Last week officials in York County announced a decision to stop remitting funds to the commonwealth until a state budget is adopted. We commend this action and wonder what Berks officials will do to pressure a resolution to this ridiculous standoff.Kevin K. MurphyPresident, Berks County Community Foundation
