As state lawmakers battle over a budget in Harrisburg, many local agencies are bracing themselves for cutbacks, including those that assist senior citizens.
Folks at the 2009 Annual Senior Expo near Mount Pocono are like many people in Pennsylvania. They are waiting for a state budget and wondering how it will affect them.
"There's a possibility there will be cuts in R.S.V.P., Area Agency on Aging so those we are very interested in," said former Pocono AARP President Oscar Loll
Some senior citizens said they feel like they are in limbo. Many take advantage of local and state programs and are wondering what will stay and what's being cut.
"They are cutting all over. With welfare and our office, any of the human services, they are cutting back on," said Marie Farnan of Monroe County Area Agency on Aging.
Representative Mario Scavello, R-176, sponsored the senior expo and said he's worried about the impact of not having a budget this far along. "I am very concerned. Matter of fact, on the house floor last Thursday, I spoke for about five minutes and really, shame on us," said Rep. Scavello.
The lack of state budget is not just worrisome for the seniors. It's also impacting the state workers who help them because they're not getting paid.
"Right now it's basically volunteer work." said Pam Jardine, a state worker from the Monroe County Assistance Office. She's not getting paid until the budget passes. "We are going to give them the same quality of service but we are currently not getting paid. Hopefully they will be signing it soon."
Soon might not come soon enough according to some state lawmakers.
"We keep saying cut costs, cut costs, cut costs," said Senator Dave Argall, R-29. "The governor keeps saying raise taxes, raise taxes, raise taxes. It's hard to compromise those two positions."
Folks at the 2009 Annual Senior Expo near Mount Pocono are like many people in Pennsylvania. They are waiting for a state budget and wondering how it will affect them.
"There's a possibility there will be cuts in R.S.V.P., Area Agency on Aging so those we are very interested in," said former Pocono AARP President Oscar Loll
Some senior citizens said they feel like they are in limbo. Many take advantage of local and state programs and are wondering what will stay and what's being cut.
"They are cutting all over. With welfare and our office, any of the human services, they are cutting back on," said Marie Farnan of Monroe County Area Agency on Aging.
Representative Mario Scavello, R-176, sponsored the senior expo and said he's worried about the impact of not having a budget this far along. "I am very concerned. Matter of fact, on the house floor last Thursday, I spoke for about five minutes and really, shame on us," said Rep. Scavello.
The lack of state budget is not just worrisome for the seniors. It's also impacting the state workers who help them because they're not getting paid.
"Right now it's basically volunteer work." said Pam Jardine, a state worker from the Monroe County Assistance Office. She's not getting paid until the budget passes. "We are going to give them the same quality of service but we are currently not getting paid. Hopefully they will be signing it soon."
Soon might not come soon enough according to some state lawmakers.
"We keep saying cut costs, cut costs, cut costs," said Senator Dave Argall, R-29. "The governor keeps saying raise taxes, raise taxes, raise taxes. It's hard to compromise those two positions."
