Senate Approves Senator Browne’s Senate Bill 1

Measure increasing accountability to budget process headed to House

The Senate today approved Senate Bill 1, legislation intended to fundamentally reform Pennsylvania’s budgeting process while increasing transparency and accountability in state government, according to Senator Pat Browne (R-16), prime sponsor of the measure.

The legislation establishes a Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO), a non-partisan, bi-cameral agency with expertise in financial matters. The LFO would have access to the same agency and department financial information as the Governor’s Budget Office, Senator Browne, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, noted.

"This year, more than ever, we see the need for the LFO. One of the key duties of this office will be to set a binding revenue estimate by June 15 for the coming fiscal year. This would clearly set the parameters by which the Legislature can consider a spending plan," Senator Browne stated.

"Right now, the Governor alone certifies a revenue estimate. Here we are more than two weeks into the new fiscal year and he has yet to provide that certification. The budget process would be much more transparent and streamlined if everyone went forward knowing exactly how much money was available," Senator Browne said. "The end result will be that we will conclude each budget session more expeditiously with a pragmatic and realistic spending plan that most closely meets the needs of the Commonwealth."

Senate Bill 1 will require state agencies and departments to submit their budget requests to the LFO at the same time they submit them to the Office of the Budget. Pennsylvania is currently one of only eight states where the Legislature does not receive the agency budget requests.

The LFO would also develop performance measures for state programs and departments and evaluate the performance reviews of those programs and departments as reported by the Administration.

"These provisions would be extremely helpful during tough economic times such as we are experiencing this year. As we review the budget line-by-line, looking for areas to reduce spending, this information would be extremely helpful," Senator Browne said. "The agency budget requests would enable us to see their priorities and the performance evaluations would give us a better idea of the effectiveness of state supported services and programs."

Contact:

Stacey Connors
(717) 787-1349