For Immediate Release
February 24, 2010
Contact: Nathan Flood
717-787-4420
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Budget Hearings Focus on Promoting Efficiency, Transparency in State Government

The Senate Appropriations Committee conducts a series of budget hearings each year following the governor’s budget proposal to give legislators an opportunity to hear testimony from members of the Administration on the impact of the governor’s spending proposals. The information gathered during these hearings serves as a valuable tool during budget negotiations to determine the programs that bring the greatest benefit to our communities.

During the first week of budget hearings, I focused on ensuring that the money taxpayers spend for state programs is being used to its fullest potential. During a hearing with Department of Revenue Acting Secretary Daniel Hassell, I sought additional information on how the state reviews the performance of state programs to address the successes and failures of each program. I also questioned Department of General Services Secretary James Creedon on the oversight of stimulus dollars allocated to the state by the federal government. We must ensure that every dollar distributed to the state through the stimulus program is used for its intended.  I introduced legislation last year to ensure transparency and accountability for stimulus funds, and while the governor created an oversight board for stimulus dollars in response to my legislation, I still believe we can do more to ensure that none of this funding is lost to waste or inefficiency.

Looming problems with the state’s pension programs were also an important subject during the hearings. I requested specific information on the costs for overhead, personnel and investments from representatives from the State Employees’ Retirement System and the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, and I am hopeful this information will be useful as the General Assembly determines the appropriate steps to address the solvency of these pension programs.

Agriculture is one of the most important drivers of our state and local economy, and dairy farming represents a large part of the industry. During a hearing with Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, I requested information on how the Department of Agriculture will work with dairy farmers who had accumulated a great deal of debt due to low prices for their product over the past year. The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held a public hearing about this issue earlier this year. I also asked Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Sandi Vito for more information on how the state is preparing young people for careers in agriculture.

In addition to focusing on promoting efficiency and transparency in state government, I questioned some of the governor’s proposed cuts to a few vital state programs. While I applaud reductions in state spending, I do support reallocations of individual lines inside many of our large and complex departments.  I expressed concerns that a proposed cut in funding for the Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission would hurt the Commonwealth’s ability to deal with an infectious disease outbreak. I also expressed my support for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, a highly successful program that helps young people avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence during last week’s budget hearing with Attorney General Tom Corbett.