Pennsylvania remains the only state in the nation without a finalized budget — and the delay is hitting early childhood education programs hard.

Preschools that serve low-income families through the state-funded Pre-K Counts program are now at risk of closing because the months-long budget impasse has halted funding.

Lisa Smith, owner and operator of Amazing Kidz Academy, said she hasn't been paid for several months. Instead, she's had to take out lines of credit and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of her own money just to keep classrooms open.

"I feel very sad. I feel very disappointed, and I feel betrayed — not just for me, but for the voting parents and for the children who depend on us," Smith said.

Smith is one of dozens of providers in Philadelphia offering free pre-ki

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