PA Democrats' push for adult mental health funding fruitless as GOP drops it from budget plan
Fox News
Democrats in the Pennsylvania Legislature are expressing discontentment over the omission of adult mental health funding from a budget proposal Gov. Josh Shapiro has pledged to sign.
The House, controlled by Democrats, approved legislation last month that would direct $100 million in one time COVID-era federal funds to go to programs to bolster the state’s adult mental health network by addressing workforce shortages, bettering criminal and public safety programs and supporting suicide prevention programs. It was based on recommendations of a commission tasked with deciding how to divvy up the federal funds designated for such uses last year.
But it was left on the cutting room floor in a budget bill that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said he will sign. The Senate Republican-authored budget bill instead pushed those dollars to student mental health. The spending plan, which was approved by both chambers, is still awaiting the final OK after negotiations soured.