For Immediate Release
February 10, 2010
Contact: Nathan Flood
717-787-4420
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Brubaker Introduces Proposal for Two-Year Budget Cycle

Over the past few years, a number of serious flaws in the budget process have been exposed. In the most recent budget battle, nonprofit groups and social services that rely on state funding were forced with the prospect of borrowing money or closing their doors to needy Pennsylvanians during the three-month impasse. It is clear that the current system is in dire need of changes to prevent Pennsylvanians from suffering needlessly in the future due to political differences.

The current budget process is repetitive, time-consuming, inefficient and prone to monumental difficulties, and we must take action to correct these problems. In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to improve the budget process by establishing a two-year budget cycle in Pennsylvania. This small change could reap huge rewards by reducing the number of political battles we suffer through each year and allowing the General Assembly and the governor to get a clearer picture of the programs and services that provide the greatest benefit to the communities we represent.

The change would help to reduce the time and resources necessary to enact a new budget each year. From the time the governor presents his budget address until the budget is signed into law, we spend a great deal of time debating differing views on spending and taxation. By changing to a two-year budget cycle, we could use that additional time to review the performance of state programs and agencies to determine where taxpayer dollars are best spent. This in-depth review of how state agencies spend taxpayer dollars would encourage state agencies to plan for the future and could help to identify valuable cost savings in the operation of state government.

A two-year budget cycle would encourage the governor and the Legislature to incorporate long-term perspectives in budgeting. It would also help nonprofit groups that rely on state funding to work toward long-term planning goals by creating more predictability in the budget process.

The proposed legislation would require an amendment to the state Constitution. To become law, the bill would have to pass in two consecutive two-year legislative sessions before going before the voters for final approval. I am hopeful that the General Assembly will take action on this bill to give the people of Pennsylvania an opportunity to reform a budget process that has produced seven consecutive missed budget deadlines.  

Brubaker Visits New Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank Facility

The Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank recently moved its operations from the upstairs of the Terre Hill Borough Building to an unused room at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 105 West Main Street in Terre Hill. I toured this facility last week to learn more about the organization’s efforts to eliminate hunger and food insecurity in our area.

All food and vouchers distributed by the food bank are gathered through local donations, and the additional space that is available at the new location is expected to be helpful in storing, packing and distributing food to community members in need. Eleven churches in the Terre Hill and Bowmansville ministerium support the food bank, and member churches help to provide assistance when specific needs arise. As Chairman of the legislative Hunger Caucus, I am very thankful that the efforts of these staff, volunteers and generous donors are helping individuals and families who are in need in our local communities.