How Will the 2012 State Budget Affect Hungry Families in Pennsylvania?

Every day, people in Pennsylvania skip meals so they can pay their mortgage, medical bills or other basic needs. Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2012 state budget further threatens their ability to put food on the table, by:

• Eliminating the General Assistance program, which provides only a subsistence benefit to 68,000 of the state's most vulnerable residents, including victims of domestic violence, people who are temporarily disabled and adults caring for elderly parents. Read more from PA Cares for All.  
• Overhauling how the state distributes social-services funds while cutting 20 percent in total funding for mental health and homeless services. Philadelphia alone stands to lose $42 million to provide these basic needs services.
• Slashing funding for higher education for a second year a row, with cuts of 20 percent to state schools and 30 percent to state-related universities.

The governor's proposed cuts come on the heels of a series of attacks to Pennsylvania's safety net. In the past year alone, the Corbett administration:

• Ended the AdultBasic program, leaving 42,000 working adults without health insurance;
• Cut 88,000 children from Medical Assistance, leaving low-income families unable to pay for medicine and even vaccines for newborns; and
• Announced plans to impose an asset test for food stamps (SNAP), forcing seniors and the recently unemployed to deplete their savings before getting help.

Pennsylvania cannot continue to balance its budget on the backs of the poor. A cut to one essential service—childcare or medical services—creates a ripple effect on the rest of Pennsylvania’s social safety net. And when families can’t make ends meet, food and nutrition are usually among the first sacrifices they make, increasing rates of hunger in our communities.

Our elected officials have alternatives. Did you know:

• More than 70% of Pennsylvania corporations pay no income tax at all. Thanks to corporate tax loopholes, 84 percent of corporations doing business in Pennsylvania pay less than $1,000 in net income taxes every year. That’s less than a family that earns $36,000. Closing corporate tax loopholes would bring in $500 million or more annually. Read more
• Pennsylvania is one of only two states that does not tax cigars and spit tobacco. This tax break costs the state $41 million every year. Read more

How can you help?

• Sign up for advocacy alerts: We'll keep you up to date on the latest budget news and how you can take action.  
• Take action: Email Gov. Corbett to protect vital services. Courtesy of Project H.O.M.E.
• Learn more: Visit the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center for updates and analysis.