Government Relations
The Governor ’ s Administration and General Assembly failed to reach a deal on the state budget before the constitutionally mandated deadline of June 30 , despite having a surplus in revenue and unspent funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act ( ARPA ). While seemingly a good problem to have , excess funds intensified the arguments between Wolf Administration and legislative leaders in the House and Senate .
Negotiations continued while the state began a new fiscal year , until the budget finally passed on July 8 . Agencies , schools , and others dependent on state funding are breathing sighs of relief , even knowing that in a few short months debate will resume for the next fiscal year , this time with a new governor and different appropriation leaders at the helm .
Some highlights of the budget deal include :
• $ 45.3 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget , a 3 % increase from last year ’ s budget — this figure includes supplemental spending and federal stimulus funds .
• Transfers $ 2.1 billion to the state ’ s Rainy Day Fund , bringing the balance of that fund to $ 5.5 billion .
• Includes historic increases of $ 850 million in Pre-K through K-12 education .
• Proposes a stepped reduction of the Corporate Net Income Tax with a 1 % cut in January 2023 and 0.5 % annual reductions yearly until the rate reaches 4.99 % in 2031 .
• Creates a PA Child Tax Care Credit equal to 30 % of the federal credit to help support working families .
• Uses federal ARPA funding to make a one-time 70 % enhancement of the Property Tax and Rent Rebates programs for PA seniors .
• Allocates the remaining $ 2.2 billion of revenue from the ARPA for one-time investments in a variety of programs across PA agencies .
• $ 45 million for election integrity and administration to be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development .
• $ 100 million in one-time federal relief funds for mental health access and resources in Pennsylvania .
• $ 100 million in one-time federal relief funds for repair and development in Pennsylvania parks and forests .
PDA engaged in the budget process by collaborating with dental service organizations to increase funding in the dental Medicaid program . We made a budget request of $ 32 million — half from the state , half from the federal government — which was based on a 20 percent increase to the 20 most utilized services for kids and adults . At this time , the administration indicates that more funding is earmarked for managed care companies to use for the dental Medicaid program . PDA will monitor developments and advocate for fee increases using the additional funding .
PDA was successful in preserving state funding for the Donated Dental Services program . Due to PDA ’ s advocacy efforts with the House and Senate Appropriation Committees and legislative leaders , Pennsylvania ’ s state budget once again includes funding for the Donated Dental Services ( DDS ) program . The funding enables Dental Lifeline Network , which operates the DDS program , to employ two regional coordinators who screen patients and connect them with volunteer dentists and dental labs . Patients who are elderly , medically fragile and / or disabled are eligible for the DDS program .
Pro Bono Continuing Education Credits PDA staff and lobbyist worked with Sen . Scott Martin and his staff on legislation that allows dentists , dental hygienists , and expanded function dental assistants to apply up to three hours of pro bono care to fulfill their continuing education requirement each biennial licensure renewal period . Our Government Relations Committee ( GRC ) was instrumental in suggesting language encompassing all the pathways by which dentists and other dental team members provide volunteer dental , dental hygiene and dental assisting care , while providing a mechanism for the proper accounting of volunteer hours with the State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ). The SBOD may approve continuing education credit for clinical volunteer work only , which is important to ensuring that the hours substituted for classroom time still relate directly to dentists and dental team members maintaining clinical competency . It also gives the underserved more opportunity to access the dental care they need .
The Senate voted unanimously in support of SB 1173 . It ’ s been assigned to the House Professional Licensure Committee for consideration this fall .
JULY / AUGUST 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 7