Corbett's Budget Trick #7 - Delaying $390 Million in State Payments to the Next Fiscal Year

[JPZenger]

Corbett is proposing a state budget with lots of tricks to fund election-year goodies. He needs to do this because he refuses to slow down corporate tax cuts or to close continuing tax loopholes or to enact a real gas severance tax. He also refuses to accept Federal money to expand Medical Assistance for the poor, which would free up large amounts of current state health care spending.

The latest that has been uncovered is his plan to delay $390 million in Medicaid payments from the upcoming fiscal year to the following fiscal year. He is also setting up a time bomb for the next Governor, who will have to find a way to pay for all of Corbett's tricks.

http://articles.mcall.com/2014-02-10/news/mc-pa-zogby-senate-budget-20140210_1_republican-corbett-2014-15-budget-budget-secretary-charles-b

Excerpt:

"It's like the budget was put together side-by-side with polling data to get re-elected in 2014," said Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Philadelphia. "Parts of the budget are not sustainable."

Sen. Vince Hughes, D-Philadelphia, told Zogby he received calls from various Democrats running for governor who voiced concern that Corbett's 2014-15 plans would make their jobs harder if they win.

"Help us all understand how this math comes together," said Hughes, minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee"

[aquart]

1. Really helps the economy when those he owes go under.

[PRETZEL]

2. This is going to be a huge hit

alot of organizations are going to be effected.

I've heard that in home care, nursing facilities, developmental and intellectual disabilities organizations will feel the brunt of this delay. They'll be hard pressed to advance payments to vendors and reimbursements without having the funds from the state.

[malthaussen]

3. A new concept! "Stealing it forward."

You know, like "paying it forward." Only the opposite.

-- Mal

[ebbie15644]

4. Typically republican

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Is this doable?

I am in accounting, and I don't see how you do this. If it isn't paid, it is a liability just the same. Or government accounting is a totally separate animal.