Senate Budget Hearings Wrapped Up 

The Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped up its second week of hearings on the state budget for Fiscal Year 2007-08, according to Senator Bob Regola (R-39).  The Committee heard requests for funding from several cabinet secretaries from March 3^rd through 6^th.

On Monday, the budgets of the Treasury Department, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Aging, and the Department of Environmental Protection were reviewed.

            During the hearing on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Senator Regola asked state Adjutant General (Major General) Jessica Wright to explain how the increased funding for veterans outreach will be used.  The General said veterans organizations will apply for money and demonstrate how they would they would use it, for example, to help process applications for benefits. The funds would not be used for direct assistance to veterans.

Senator Regola said he would push to restore funding for the Civil Air Patrol.  General Wright acknowledged that she did not request the elimination of CAP funding, adding that it was the Administration’s idea and that she considers CAP “a very worthy organization.”

At the Department of Aging hearing, Senator Regola cited a news article in which the Department stated that there was a waiting list of 3,000 individuals, of whom, 500 needed nursing home care and the other 2,500 needed in home services “to make life easier.”  Senator Regola asked whether it is more cost effective to channel funding to those needing critical services or those needing assistance to make life easier.

During the Department of Environmental Protection’s hearing, Sen. Regola questioned the adequacy of funding for Conservation Districts and emergency response hazardous cleanup.

On Tuesday, the Appropriations Committee reviewed the budgets for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania State Police.  The Appropriation Committee’s agenda for Wednesday included hearings on the Department of Education, the Department of General Services, and the Department of Revenue.

Senator Regola criticized the direction of the priorities in the Education Department’s budget proposal, specifically citing the elimination of funding for Science in Motion, a program that partners colleges with high schools to promote science and mathematics education.

During the hearing on the Department of General Services, Senator Regola asked about the status of asbestos abatement in state-owned buildings. 

The Appropriations Committee’s hearings wrapped up on Thursday with reviews of the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Senator Regola was among several Senators members who questioned the Department of Public Welfare’s “carve out” excluding pharmacies from rebidding for state contracts to provide services to Medical Assistance patients. He urged DPW to delay implementation until the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee has a chance to hold a public hearing on the matter.

Senator Regola also noted that spending for home and community based services has been increased in recent years, but the promised savings have not been seen, as the number of nursing home residents did not go down.

            During the hearing with the Department of Community and Economic Development, Senator Regola commented on a “drastic” $2 million cut in state funding to the St. Vincent Development Center in Westmoreland County. “To me, that means fewer businesses will be opened and less tax revenue will be coming to the state.”

Complete coverage of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s budget hearings, including audio and video, is available at www.pasenategop.com

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Contact:  Nate Silcox (717) 787-6063