Colleagues,
 
In the near future, we intend to introduce legislation that will ensure there are no adverse impacts for recipients of the Budget Bridge Loan Program by waiving any interest that would otherwise accrue on an amount of a loan utilized by an eligible organization.
 
As it was stated by State Treasurer Stacy Garrity regarding the program, “Our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, especially our children, should not suffer because of ongoing state budget negotiations in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania’s taxpayers expect their hard-earned tax dollars to be put to work, not be put on hold.”  While we applaud the efforts of the State Treasurer, as legislators, we can further advance this program by waiving any interest that accrues and thereby allowing a recipient to fully benefit from the program without having to worry about adverse financial impacts due to interest accrual.
 
This legislation will not deviate from those organizations that were deemed eligible already by the State Treasurer, and will still require a recipient to pay back the amount of a loan within 15 days of state funds being released following the enactment of a state budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
 
Identical legislation was passed on a bipartisan basis in the State Senate on October 8, 2025.
 
Treasurer Garrity was correct when she said, “We have no greater responsibility than to take care of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and that’s exactly what’s being achieved by making these funds available.”  Let’s make sure that all possible benefits from this program are fully realized and provide the vital services that our constituencies heavily rely upon.
 
We respectfully ask for your consideration in co-sponsoring this legislation.