Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

"We can't afford the increased spending. We can't afford to pay more in sales taxes. We can't afford to lose any more jobs from Pennsylvania."

-- Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery) on the governor's proposed 2010-11 state budget, which would increase spending by $1.2 billion, or 4.1 percent.

Preview

SENATE RETURNS TO VOTING SESSION FOLLOWING BUDGET HEARINGS

The Senate returns to voting session today following three weeks of public hearings on the Administration's proposed 2010-11 state budget.

Among the bills that could be considered are Senate Bill 260, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), expanding the jurisdiction of the state Attorney General to prosecute the sexual abuse of children, and Senate Bill 432, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), permitting the issuance of a "sexual violence victim protection order."

The Senate could also consider Senate Bill 766, sponsored by Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer), establishing the Science in Motion program in statute, and House Bill 1533, extending the expiration date of the Military Family Relief Fund and broadening the scope of "eligible service members."

Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission meets monday

The new Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, chaired by Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill), will hold its second public hearing Monday to discuss cost-cutting measures in state government.

Among those expected to testify are Secretary Mary Soderberg, Office of the Budget, Secretary Naomi Wyatt, Office of Administration and Secretary Jim Creedon, Department of General Services.

Senator Argall noted that the Commission has received more than 100 emails from individuals from across the Commonwealth who responded to a call for suggestions to reduce the cost of state government.

Pennsylvanians can still submit suggestions to reduce costs in state government by emailing cuttingcosts@pasen.gov through June 30. For more on the Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, please see In the Spotlight, below.

JOINT HEARING ON NEWLY AUTHORIZED INDEPENDENT FISCAL OFFICE

The Senate Finance Committee and the House Finance Committee will hold the third in a series of joint hearings on a key budget reform measure enacted at the end of 2009.

The purpose of the hearings is to receive testimony regarding the creation of an Independent Fiscal Office and to make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding any suggested changes to the Independent Fiscal Office language contained in Act 50 of 2009. Creation of the Independent Fiscal Office was spearheaded by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh).

COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROBLEM GAMBLING INITIATIVES

The Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Jane Earll (R-Erie), will meet Tuesday on the issue of problem gambling and will consider Senate Resolution 255.

Sponsored by Senator Earll, the resolution would designate the month of March as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and observe the week of March 7 through 13 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Week." Representatives from the state Department of Health and the state Gaming Control Board discuss the implementation of programs that deal with problem gambling, awareness and responsibility, particularly given recent changes implemented by Act 1 of 2010.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair), will hold a joint public hearing with the House Local Government Committee to hear testimony from the Department of Community and Economic Development on development of a state plan for use of Community Services Block Grant funds.

INCREASED PENALTIES FOR HIT-AND-RUN DRIVERS FOCUS OF HEARING

The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), will hold a public hearing Thursday in Philadelphia to hear testimony on legislation before the Senate that would increase fines and prison sentences for those convicted of fleeing from accidents involving injury or death.

The panel will seek input on three bills that would strengthen penalties in hit-and run-cases. Among those scheduled to testify are representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the State Police and the Philadelphia Police Department. Three family members of hit-and-run victims will also talk about the need for tougher laws.

Review

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CONCLUDES BUDGET HEARINGS

The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), wrapped up three weeks of public hearings on the governor's proposed 2010-11 state budget.

Senate Republicans remain committed to enacting a fiscally responsible spending plan in a timely manner while protecting the interests of Pennsylvania's taxpayers.

Senate Republicans are holding to the same basic conservative principles they maintained during last year's deliberations -- the budget must be balanced without a broad-based tax increase and should be delivered on time.

The governor's $29 billion budget proposal includes a $1.2 billion (4.1 percent) increase in spending and projected 3.2 percent increase in revenues in the upcoming fiscal year.

A complete recap of the hearings, with video, audio and summaries, is available on the Senate Republican web site, pasenategop.com. For more on the governor's budget, please see Fast Facts, below.

SEN. Piccola Introduces Resolution to Study School Costs

Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) has introduced a measure aimed at further studying the Commonwealth's schools with the highest performance and lowest costs, and their best practices in meeting state academic standards.

Senate Resolution 243 will direct the Joint State Government Commission to study the 82 school districts found to be successful schools in the 2006 "costing out" study and issue a report of their best practices. It also directs the State Board of Education to cooperate fully with the commission in providing documentation from the original costing-out study.

According to data released by the Senate Appropriations Committee, the state basic education subsidy has increased by 35.2 percent between fiscal year 2003-2004 and fiscal year 2009-2010, jumping from $4 billion in 2002-2003 to $5.5 billion in 2009-2010. The new report would be submitted to the Senate Education Committee by November 1 to serve as the basis for future deliberations for basic education funding levels.

In the Spotlight

Established by unanimous passage of Senate Resolution 161, sponsored by Senator Argall, the bipartisan Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission is made up of 10 appointees from the private and public sectors to target and eliminate unnecessary government spending. The commission will utilize existing Senate staff with no additional cost to the taxpayers.

The 10-member commission includes individuals experienced in the operation of state and local government, along with members who have vast experience in private business. The goal of the commission is to study state government operations and the experience of other states in an effort to propose changes which will reduce costs for Pennsylvania taxpayers.

At its February 19 meeting, the commission heard testimony from Walter Baran, who served as Secretary of the Department of General Services under Governor Dick Thornburgh. He detailed the statewide cost reduction program that was undertaken three decades ago in Pennsylvania.

Fast Facts

spending and tax increases in governor's proposed budget

The governor's budget would increase government spending by $1.2 billion, representing $9 billion in new spending since 2002.
Spending under the administration increased 45 percent in eight years, far outpacing the rate of inflation.
Gov. Rendell proposes to impose new taxes on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction and on "other tobacco products" – cigars and smokeless tobacco. He also proposes the elimination of the 1 percent fee granted to vendors for collection of Pennsylvania's sales tax.
The governor wants to add 74 new sales taxes that will cost taxpayers an additional $530 million in 2010 and $900 million in 2011. He also wants to tax Pennsylvania businesses an additional $66 million.