PA State Budget Public Hearings

On Thursday and Friday, May 21 and 22, the House Committee on Appropriations will hold public hearings on Senate Bill 850, a General Appropriations bill which outlines the Senate Republicans’ plan for a 2009/10 budget. The hearings will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday in the Majority Caucus Room, Room 140 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg.

They have had many hearings already this year, but all from various government agencies. They claim to be seeking input from “taxpayers,” but some believe they are more likely to hear from various individuals representing special interest groups, rather than the average taxpayers.

Email from Representative Dwight Evans, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations (D):

From: Dwight Evans [mailto:devans@hacd.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 4:18 PM
To: All Interested Parties
Subject: Public Hearings on SB 850 Importance: High

Dear Colleague:

The Appropriations Committee members have worked hard to provide as much information as possible about the Governor’s budget proposal.

Our efforts began last November when the Committee held a public meeting to update members and citizens on the economy. We organized budget forums and town hall meetings to highlight the financial crisis faced by Pennsylvania and more than 40 other states. In January, the Committee held a hearing on the state’s capacity for debt. In February through April more than 50 Committee and Subcommittee hearings focused on the Governor’s budget proposal. Meetings among budget negotiators have continued since January and I have conducted to date two cyber town hall meetings to answer email questions from you and others concerned about specific spending decisions.

Now that the state Senate Republicans have approved Senate Bill 850, a General Appropriations bill which outlines the Senate Republicans’ plan for a 2009/10 budget, I think it is necessary to spend some time examining it. Because it is already May, we won’t be able to provide as extensive a review as we did for the Governor’s proposal. I want to make certain there is some public review. We will talk to experts on the various programs and general spending direction; however, I want to make certain we do hear from the taxpayers. As such, the hearing will be open for public comment on Senate Bill 850 beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22 and continue through the afternoon.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Representative Dwight Evans, Chairman
Committee on Appropriations (D)
House of Representatives
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Email: devans@hacd.net

Miriam Fox, Executive Director

Room 512-E Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-2203
Phone: 717-783-1540
Fax: 717-787-2334



A strong taxpayer showing next Friday in Harrisburg is needed!! You can bet your bottom dollar that the Dems will have the tax-eaters there in force!!