(WHTM)-- It's now the second week of September, and state lawmakers have yet to pass a state budget.
Pennsylvania lawmakers were greeted by multiple faces today as they went back to work. There are different rallies from different groups almost every day now, calling for a budget at the Capitol.
Today, it was home health care workers urging state lawmakers to come to a state budget agreement. They said it would guarantee that the workers who are helping the state's most vulnerable would make at least $15 an hour. Lolita Owens, a 58-year-old client in Philadelphia with dementia who cooks, cleans, and even bathes, is pleading for help.
"No budget means no everything," said Owens. "No transportation, no health care."
"Politicians have been playing games while we have been out here caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities," said health care worker Rabia Davis. "Shame."
The budget was due June 30, making it around 70 days late. The State Senate is in session on Monday, but still no deal. Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa (D) said progress is being made.
"I mean, in all seriousness, I mean, a lot of conversations over the weekend have taken place," said Sen. Costa. "Now I think that we're closing the gap significantly, and I think it won't be long before this thing is resolved."
The conservative Commonwealth Foundation wrote in a letter that the resolution shouldn't include tapping the rainy day fund, which they say is only for actual emergencies or economic downturns, neither of which is occurring.
"The rainy day fund is our emergency reserve fund," said Nathan Benefield, the Chief Policy Officer of the foundation. "We need to protect that fund, to protect taxpayers against tax increases and control the growth of spending."
Costa said the rainy day fund likely goes untouched this year, but all bets are off after the state likely, once again, spends more than it'll take in next year.
"The rainy day fund is there to be able to address times whenever we don't have sufficient resources," said Costa. "I would definitely believe that we need to tap into it probably next year."
The good news is that all parties say they had good and productive talks over the weekend. The bad news is they've been saying that for more than two months now.
