Budget impacts + 422 updates

Rep. Joseph Ciresi September 19, 2025 | 1:45 PM

Dear Neighbor,

We’ve been three months without a state budget for the current fiscal year, which is hurting our schools, counties, and state services.

Our county and non-profit organizations have been forced to use reserves or borrow money to maintain operations while awaiting state reimbursements.

According to the state budget secretary, the Pennsylvania Department of Education withheld about $1.4 billion in basic education funding to K-12 schools in July and August, along with $255 million in special education funding and $99 million in federal subgrant payments. County child welfare programs missed $390 million in payments. Rape crisis centers missed $3.4 million.

A Montgomery County spokesperson said the county was owed roughly $10 million monthly.

The Victim Services Center in Norristown, which receives 37% of its funding from the state, has already missed $70,000 in payments as of August. Executive Director Mary Onama said that if a budget is not passed by October, cuts to hours and services may be necessary.

The budget needs to be passed soon, or our county government is going to have to make tough decisions about whether some services will be stopped altogether.

Tell the Republican Senate Leadership that it’s time to pass the House-passed budget. It has been too long.

988 support for LGBTQ+ youth to continue thanks to Gov. Shapiro

In the wake of the Trump administration’s termination of the national crisis line program aimed at preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, the Shapiro Administration has stepped up to support Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ+ community in crisis.

It is providing specialized training to staff at 14 call centers and establishing a direct connection to The Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ+ crisis intervention, advocacy, and education organization.

PA 988 call centers will provide a warm handoff to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project’s Lifeline can also be reached independently of 988 at 1-866-488-7386.

Noteworthy community events and reminders

Sept. 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Veterans Community Day at Memorial Park
Thru Sunday, Sept. 21 – Montco Jazz Fest, sponsored by the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. Shows can be found throughout the county (some are free, while others require tickets).
Oct. 20 – last day to register to vote in time for the Nov. 4 Election

Check in on veterans’ mental health this September

September is also National Suicide Prevention Month. Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs reminds everyone to reach out and check on the veterans in our lives, and to be aware of the resources available for those in crisis or in need of additional support.

Veterans remain at an elevated risk of suicide — and one veteran suicide is one too many. The DMVA encourages everyone to reach out to the veterans in their lives and remind them that someone cares about and appreciates them, even if it has been a while since you last spoke.

If you are a veteran in crisis — or if you are concerned about one — free and confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then press 1, or send a text message to 838255, or chat online.

Another resource available to veterans facing challenging times is VETConnect, an outreach program that connects veterans and their families with local resources to meet their needs when it comes to finding a place to live, finding a job, getting mental health support, and more.

Route 422 Improvements

On Sept. 16, PennDOT completed a traffic switch on U.S. Route 422. Eastbound traffic is now on the newly constructed concrete pavement.

PennDOT staff expect the westbound traffic switch to take place later next month, in October. Once that takes place, the configuration for eastbound and westbound will remain for approximately a year while westbound 422 is reconstructed.

Here are additional traffic alerts:

Monday, September 22, through Friday, September 26, from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, a periodic lane closure will be in place on westbound U.S. 422 between the Sanatoga (Evergreen Road) and Armand Hammer Boulevard interchanges.
Monday, September 22, through Friday, September 26, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, a periodic lane closure will be in place on eastbound U.S. 422 between the Armand Hammer Boulevard and Sanatoga (Evergreen Road) interchanges.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work areas because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.