Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
April 5, 2010
Senate Cost-Cutting Commission Forges Ahead
You've been hearing and reading about another potential state budget debacle
as we slowly pull ourselves out of the recession. Revenues are down,
expenditures are up, and never the twain shall meet…
In this cloudy atmosphere, what action is possible to arrive at a balanced,
fiscally responsible Commonwealth Budget for 2010-2011? The Pennsylvania Senate
Republican Caucus has taken a giant step toward that end in passing Senate
Resolution 161 (adopted December 16, 2009), which establishes a Government
Management and Cost-Cutting Commission.
Among the Commission's members are Senator David Argall (R-29), Chair;
Senator Daylin Leach (D-17), Robert Bittenbender, former Budget Secretary under
Governors Thornburgh, Ridge and Schweiker; Mike Kolchin, Professor of Management
at Lehigh University's College of Business & Economics and former Associate Dean
for Graduate Studies; Patrick Eiding, President, Philadelphia AFL-CIO; James
Chiafullo, Director, Cohen & Grigsby; Kelly Lewis, CEO of TechQuest Pennsylvania
and former State Representative; Joseph Galli, Sr., former superintendent, Upper
Darby School District; and Jon Zawarski, broker, Nic Zawarski & Sons Realty.
In this truly blue-ribbon assembly of public and private volunteers,
discussion of the Commonwealth's fiscal position and needs has ranged through
every state agency and program. Senator Argall convened hearings in February,
March, April and May. The Commission's report is due June 30, 2010.
For example, Kelly Lewis contributed numerous suggestions as to how
technology can assist us in managing funds (such as pension and employee benefit
trust funds) more effectively, and in processing applications for benefits under
Medical Assistance more correctly, to save up to $2 billion as a result. He
also recommended an ongoing, non-partisan office for continuous improvement, so
that strategies for saving state resources are always implemented regardless of
politics.
In addition, the Commission has heard from a former Secretary of General
Services on state fleet management, from the current Secretary of the Department
of Corrections on prison overcrowding and alternatives to incarceration, and
from the current Budget, Administration and General Services Secretaries, the
Auditor General's office, the Commonwealth Foundation and the County
Commissioners' Association. Representatives of employee groups, the legislature
and others have contributed expertise to this initiative as well.
You can view the testimony and follow the Commission's activities online at
Senator Argall's website,
www.senatorargall.com. Click on "Management and Cost Cutting Commission" at
the right side of the homepage.
The text of Senate Resolution 161 is online in the "Electronic Bill Room"
link at my website,
www.senatorearll.com.
Soon, Pennsylvanians will be able to see concrete and positive proposals for
a leaner, more effective state government, as a result of Senate Resolution
161. This is the type of responsible fiscal management I supported in the last
budget cycle and will continue to advocate for again in 2010-2011. The
taxpayers of our state deserve no less.
CONTACT: Senator Earll's office, (814) 453-2515 or
jearll@pasen.gov
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