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Commission on Sentencing says budget impasse leaves about $700,000 in reserves and limited runway
Summary
Commission staff told members the agency has roughly $700,000 in liquid reserves, roughly 2.5 months of operating funds at current burn, four vacancies and is diverting earmarked project funds to pay salaries while the state budget remains unresolved.
The Commission on Sentencing reported at its business meeting that ongoing state budget negotiations have left the agency with roughly $700,000 in available funds and about two and a half months of operating runway at current spending levels, staff said.
Commission staff said the agency had about $1.3 million at the end of fiscal year 2024–25 but has roughly $650,000 in encumbered or unpaid obligations (salaries for June–August and consultant work), leaving the $700,000 figure. The commission’s monthly expenditure rate was presented as roughly $274,000.
The budget shortfall has prompted temporary staffing decisions and other cost-cutting measures. The commission said it currently employs 18 full-time equivalent staff but has four vacant positions (two administrative assistants, one education and outreach specialist, and one full‑stack developer). One administrative assistant recently resigned and that position is being held vacant because of the funding uncertainty.
“Unlike many state agencies, commission staff are employees of Penn State under an existing MOU, which means they are not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act provision that preserves pay during a state budget impasse,” a commission staff member said. "If the impasse continues, we would have to shut the lights off and stop working as an agency — that's the most tangible risk." (staff comment recorded in the meeting transcript.)
Staff told members they had begun to divert funds previously earmarked for a NextGen application to general operations to meet payroll and other obligations. The commission also discussed pursuing external funding, including federal grants, but noted that pursuing grants would require dedicating staff time away from statutory mandates and that grant awards are not guaranteed.
Commission leadership said they will continue outreach to appointing authorities about member reappointments and will report further at the December meeting. Members asked whether any formal vote was required to reallocate internal accounts; staff answered that they believed the commission could use its accounts to pay bills as needed and that any backfill would depend on the amount of appropriation once a budget is passed.
Ending: Commission staff said it will reassess finances at the next scheduled meeting if the fiscal situation remains unresolved and will keep members informed about backfill options and program impacts.
