Senate to Start Two-Weeks of Budget Hearings

Appropriations Committee begins sessions on February 25

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a two-week series of Departmental Budget Hearings beginning on February 25, according to Senator Pat Browne, a member of the Committee and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Governor Rendell has proposed a $28.3 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09, which begins on July 1. That proposal includes a $1.1 billion increase in General Fund spending.

"I have a number of questions about this budget that I will raise during the hearings," Senator Browne said. "We face an uncertain economic future in Pennsylvania, to say the least. We must carefully analyze all of the Governor's spending requests and consider all of the vital areas that he has cut out of the budget, such as the $4.2 million for veterans' homes and $5 million from the Public Welfare budget for obstetric and neo-natal services."

All Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings will be held in Hearing Room #1 on the main level of the State Capitol's North Office Building in Harrisburg. The hearing schedule is as follows:

Monday, February 25 – Auditor General, 9:30 a.m.; Historical and Museum Commission, 10:30 a.m.; Department of State, 1:15 p.m.; Budget Secretary, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 26 – Labor and Industry, 9 a.m.; Department of Insurance, 10:30 a.m.; Liquor Control Board, 1:15 p.m.; State Related Universities, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, February 27 – Attorney General, 9 a.m.; PSERS/SERS, 10:30 a.m.; Gaming Control Board, 1:15 p.m.; State System of Higher Education, 3 p.m.

Thursday, February 28 – Department of Agriculture, 9 a.m.; Department of Health, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Corrections, 1:15 p.m.

Monday, March 3 – Treasury Department, 9:30 a.m.; Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Aging, 1:15 p.m.; Department of Environmental Protection 3 p.m.

Tuesday, March 4 – Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 9 a.m.; State Police, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Transportation, 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5 – Department of Education, 9 a.m.; Department of General Services, 1:15 p.m.; Department of Revenue, 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 6 – Department of Public Welfare, 9 a.m.; Department of Community and Economic Development, 1:15 p.m.

PCN (Pennsylvania Cable Network) is planning on carrying the Senate Budget Hearings LIVE on Monday, February 25, Wednesday, February 27, Tuesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 6. Check your local listing for the dial position of PCN.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468