For Immediate Release
March 3, 2010
Contact: Nathan Flood
717-787-4420
Back

A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Second Week of Budget Hearings Focus on Stimulus Funds, Public Safety

During the second week of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s series of budget hearings with members of the Administration, I continued to focus on ensuring that the funding the state receives through the federal economic stimulus program is spent wisely. I also had the opportunity to address a number of safety concerns that could affect state residents, and I am hopeful that these questions will improve the safety of our communities.

During a budget hearing with Secretary of the Budget Mary Soderberg and Secretary of Administration Naomi Wyatt, I asked the Administration officials if they could ensure the Appropriations Committee that federal stimulus funding spending by the state is in compliance with federal requirements. I also asked for assurances from State System of Higher Education Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh that SSHE is in compliance with federal requirements for spending stimulus funding. In addition to focusing on the proper use of stimulus funds, I urged Chancellor Cavanaugh to be more creative in providing more online education opportunities for students at the state’s colleges and universities.

I also focused on stimulus accountability during a budget hearing with Auditor General Jack Wagner. Last year, the Auditor General expressed many of the same concerns that I cited while introducing legislation to establish a commission to provide accountability and transparency of all stimulus funds. Auditor General Wagner offered an update on how his office is working to ensure that every dollar of funding the state receives from the stimulus program is used for its intended purpose. I also questioned whether the Auditor General should be given more broad authority than the responsibilities currently outlined in the state Constitution, including the authority to audit the General Assembly and other entities that receive state funding, such as the state’s large and expensive mass transit authorities.  

Public safety was another focus of my questions during the second week of budget hearings. I asked Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert French for any information he could provide on possible threats that the public may not be fully aware of. Director French said attacks on mass transportation are an ongoing concern and that citizens should report suspicious activity without fear that it may turn out to be nothing of concern. In response to questions about the cell phone tower ban on DCNR land, Acting Secretary John Quigley said that the Bureau of Forestry is studying a request to lift the moratorium in the northern tier of the state where cell phone coverage is poor and public safety could be at risk.

I also made an effort to discuss some of the governor’s proposed funding levels and cuts for programs that benefit district residents. I asked Acting Secretary Quigley how a funding shortfall would affect the Mapping PA project. During a budget hearing with Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary George Cornelius, I questioned how decreased state spending on tourism could affect the industry. As Chairman of the legislative Hunger Caucus, I also expressed concerns that temporary reductions in tax credits have made it harder for food banks to receive assistance through the Neighborhood Assistance Program.