Pass the Budget Now

This is a brief letter I had sent to Congress, Senate, and House on Sept. 30, 2009. I am a 37-year-old Child Care Director and I am very concerned for the many families who have been more than patient with this state budget issue. My family has recently (18 months ago) purchased a century-old stone church that was vacant and also an educational building on the same 3-acre complex. We manage a child care facility of approx 125 children and we've also opened up for the greater community an indoor children's playland. We were excited at the idea of utilizing and old, but beautiful, building in such a great way that it continues to give back to the greater community at large.
But more recently, it has been a struggle for ANYONE in the child care field to survive these hard times with no budget passed. The state is not funding the families that need funded, and we, along with many other providers in the area, are finding it harder and harder to keep hope of a soon-to-pass budget.
We a hard working, middle class and have been the most disappointed with this process that has affected thousands. There was a deadline and it wasn't met. If I responded to my employer this way my job would be on the line. Other friends/colleagues have had to close their doors at this point. This has really become a huge disappointment. Pass the budget now. Our future depends on it.
Please provide full funding for Pennsylvania’s early-education programs, such as Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS, STEP-CCIS, Child Care Works, Nurse-Family Partnership and Head Start Supplemental. It's time to give your answer please.
Thank you for your consideration.

Brenda Lukasiewicz
Little Treasures Pre-School&Day Care
1422 West Southern Ave.
South Williamsport, PA 17702
570-327-9344