(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro arrives to deliver his budget address for the 2025-26 fiscal year to a joint session of the state House and Senate at the Capitol is seen, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) A delay in passing a budget for Pennsylvania is creating uncertainty for children and family service providers. Governor Josh Shapiro’s 51-point-five-billion-dollar proposal includes major investments in early education and child care, but payments may be disrupted while they wait for lawmakers to act. Samea Kim with the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services says delays disrupt vital services. She’s calling for passage of a bill that would guarantee funding continues during a budget stalemate and says providers need stability to serve children and families across the state. Kim points out this is the fourth consecutive year the state budget has been delayed. Kim notes children and service providers have already begun receiving notifications from counties that they will not be issuing payments. She adds past impasses have shown if a deal isn’t reached early, children and family service providers could face serious disruptions. Governor Shapiro says the state budget talks are making progress and he expects a deal soon.