Part Two of Finnegan Foundation Award Application
Name:
Why Are You Competing for the James A. Finnegan Award?
Describe Your Participation in Extra-Curricular or Civic Activities:
Essay Instructions:
Please answer the question below with an essay of at least 1,000 words in length. Please include footnotes and a bibliography. A title is not specifically required. Please Note: APPLICANT'S NAME OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION SHOULD NOT APPEAR ON TEXT PAGES OF THE ESSAY.
Essay Question:
This year, Pennsylvania went 101 days without a budget and became the last state in the nation to enact one. The budget impasse created hardships and uncertainty for numerous persons, groups and organizations. Programs have been cut and employees laid-off as a result of the delay.
What factors, in your opinion, contributed to the budget impasse?
How would you improve the process to arrive at a timely budget?
Should we adopt any different procedures used by other states?
Would they meet the requirements of Pennsylvania’s constitution?