Nonprofits Issue Call to Action on Budget Impasse

Representatives from a number of Pittsburgh area nonprofits held a media conference today in McKees Rocks calling for an end to the budget impasse. Statewide 64% of nonprofits are relying on reserves and nearly half anticipate a cash flow crisis if a budget isn’t passed this month.

The room at Focus on Renewal headquarters was packed with nonprofit workers, some held signs highlighting their jeopardized services or demanding an end to the budget deadlock. Diana Bucco is CEO of the Forbes Funds and says in Allegheny County over 3,000 child care center staff members have lost their jobs and more than 12,000 kids are without child care services. Marc Cherna, director of the Allegheny County department of human services says all politicians are to blame. But Amy Hart of the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership was more specific, telling the crowd to get on the phone to Jay Costa and Jane Orie, two local state senators that are key players in the budget negotiations.