In The Valley, Press Release

Senate Appropriations Committee to Begin Hearings on Governor Wolf’s Budget Proposal

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HARRISBURG, PA – The state Senate’s Appropriations Committee, Chaired by Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), will begin its annual Budget Hearings on March 8, 2021. The committee will receive testimony from many of the state’s largest departments centered on their past fiscal and programmatic performances and an opportunity to vet, in an open and transparent manner, their budgetary requests for Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Twenty-two departments and agencies will be testifying this year. The last hearing will be on April 22, 2021.

“The budget hearing process is fundamental given the Appropriations Committee’s role in crafting the state’s annual budget along with its responsibility in providing fiscal oversight and accountability of Pennsylvania’s finances,” Chairman Browne said. “The Commonwealth is in a challenging financial position as we recover from the most devastating economic period in modern American history. Now, more than ever, we need to develop a state budget that is responsive to the needs of Pennsylvanians without overburdening our citizens, families and job reactors with large tax and fee increases. I look forward to these hearings and to fully vetting the governor’s budget proposal with my colleagues as we work towards a creating a final budget.”

The current hearing schedule is as follows:

  • Monday, March 8
    • 10:00 a.m. Independent Fiscal Office
    • 2:00 p.m.   Department of Revenue & Lottery
  • Tuesday, March 9
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
    • 2:00 p.m.   Department of Transportation
  • Wednesday, March 10
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Human Services
    • 1:30 p.m.   Department of Human Services continued
  • Thursday, March 11
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Environmental Protection
    • 1:30 p.m.   Department of State
  • Thursday, March 18
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Education
    • 1:30 p.m.   Department of Education continued
    • 3:00 p.m.   PA State System of Higher Education
  • Monday, March 22
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Corrections/ Board of Probation & Parole
    • 2:00 p.m.   Department of Community and Economic Development
  • Tuesday, April 6
    • 10:00 a.m. State-Related Universities
    • 1:00 p.m.   Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
    • 3:00 p.m.   Pennsylvania Treasury Department
  • Wednesday, April 7
    • 10:00 a.m. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
    • 1:00 p.m.   Office of the Attorney General
    • 3:00 p.m.   Office of the Auditor General
  • Thursday, April 8
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Labor and Industry
    • 2:00 p.m.   Department of Agriculture
  • Thursday, April 22
    • 10:00 a.m. Department of Health
    • 2:00 p.m.   Budget Secretary/Governor’s Office and Department of General Services

The 24-member Senate Appropriations committee is tasked with oversight of the state’s fiscal matters and reviews and determines the fiscal impact that legislation has on the state’s finances.

Hearings will be streamed live on Senator Browne’s website: www.SenatorBrowne.com . Hearing replays and synopsis can also be accessed via the website. Additional coverage and commentary can be found on Senator Browne’s Twitter, @SenatorBrowne, and Facebook, @SenatorBrowne.

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Matt Szuchyt
Deputy Director of Policy & Communications
Senator Pat Browne
Majority Appropriations Chairman
PA 16th Senatorial District
www.senatorbrowne.com