March 3rd, 2009

Reports the Associated Press, featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Nearly $700 million has arrived in Pennsylvania from the federal government to help the state avoid deep cuts in social services.

The state’s secretary for public welfare told a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Monday that the $680 million showed up Thursday.

It’s the largest amount received by the state thus far from the federal stimulus law signed two weeks ago by President Barack Obama.

Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman told state senators that the money will help Pennsylvania avoid deep funding cuts to county-run social services, as well as hospitals and nursing homes that treat people without insurance.

All told, the state expects to receive $5 billion in stimulus dollars over three years to prop up its budget.