Budget hearings were the name of the game again this week, with a few other committee meetings sprinkled in throughout the week.
In the House of Representatives on Monday, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) kicked things off by discussing the safety of the Commonwealth’s drinking water. Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell also explained to members that DEP is hoping that changes in the Department, especially to their IT, will help the permitting process move along much quicker. Next up in the House was the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Secretary Cindy Dunn stated that “only one half of one penny of every dollar spent from the General Fund goes to DCNR, yet the agency results in tens of thousands of jobs in the private sector.” She also outlined the benefits of state parks and how each year they generate more than $1 billion in economic activity. Wrapping up the day was the Department of Aging, which Governor Wolf proposed merge into the Department of Health and Human Services. The merger was the main topic of discussion, along with questions about the Community HealthChoices program and area agencies on aging (AAA).
In the Senate, the Department of Agriculture laid out what it hopes to do with a 7.6 percent increase in its appropriations. Secretary Russell Redding was asked about the zeroing out of state funding for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, which he called “probably the most difficult decision of this budget for the Department.” Secretary Curt Topper of the Department of General Services followed, reporting that involvement of diverse small business has been on the rise, after a two-year decline. Leased and state-owned office space and property was brought up by multiple legislators in an attempt to determine how efficiently the Commonwealth was using such spaces. Department of Transportation was up last, where Secretary Leslie Richards touched upon a wide variety of issues including private-public partnerships (P3), REAL ID and AMTRAK services.
On Tuesday, the Judiciary had budget hearings in both chambers. Topics such as problem-solving courts (drug treatment, veterans, etc.), the number of magisterial judges/districts and mandatory minimum sentences were brought up in each hearing. The Department of Corrections and Board of Probation and Parole had their budget hearing in the House. The closure of State Correctional Institution (SCI) Pittsburgh, staffing issues and mental/medical health services were emphasized in the hearing. Also having their House budget hearing was the about-to-be-merged Department of Health and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. As expected, these Departments discussed the ramifications of the state’s opioid epidemic and how services may change after the consolidation. The last hearing of the day was in the Senate, where Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino and Senator and Scott Wagner, Republican candidate for Governor in 2018, duked it out over the closure of three unemployment call centers. Unemployment Compensation and the State Workers’ Insurance Fund were continually discussed throughout.
On Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture started the day in the House by discussing how they plan to handle a $30 million cut in funding. Like in the Senate, Penn Vet was a hot topic along with the Farm Show Complex lease/lease-back proposal and the Race Horse Development Fund. Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was next, along with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Following the joint budget hearing was the Public Utility Commission, where Commissioners were asked about transportation network companies, natural gas and pipelines, and PA One Call. DGS concluded the day’s hearings in the House, where Secretary Topper explained the request for proposal and land conveyance processes.
Also on Wednesday, the Senate held a budget hearing with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Senators heard testimony of how veterans returning from service receive assistance with education, jobs and health care. The Senate then had hearings with the state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln). Representatives from each University talked about their enrollment and graduation rates as well as spending measures in light of changing tuition costs. Finally, DCNR presented ways that state lands can provide a positive economic impact. Secretary Dunn also stated that there is no gas drilling on state forestlands right now, but suggested “that could change depending on market conditions.”
Thursday was the last day of budget hearings for the week. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) had hearings in the House and Senate. In the House, Board Member Michael Newsome discussed the status of the flexible pricing initiative and how the liquor modernization bill passed last session affected the PLCB and their stores. In the Senate, Act 39 of 2016 was also a priority, as Board Member Mike Negra reported it resulted in $23 million in the first six months. Secretary Dennis Davin of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) followed the PLCB hearing in the House. He was asked about the proposed block granting of tax credit programs and other economic development issues such as university funding via the Industrial Resource Centers, tourism marketing efforts and the impact of the Governor’s minimum wage proposal. Lastly, the DMVA again focused on veterans issues in their hearing with the House.
The Senate had a budget hearing Thursday with DOC and Probation and Parole, wherein they reviewed changes in the prison population over the past five years and the proposed merger of the two agencies into a Department of Criminal Justice. Last, but not least, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the State Fire Commissioner discussed disaster relief efforts and volunteer firefighter funding.
Look Ahead
Budget hearings continue next week. A list of the House and Senate hearings can be seen below.
House: http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/legis/cms/index.cfm?chamber=H
Senate: http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/legis/cms/index.cfm?chamber=S
On Monday, the House Health Committee will hold an informational meeting with the Hospital and Healthsystem Association, specifically how they were selected to be part of the Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks. On Tuesday, the House and Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees have a joint information meeting on the U.S. Army Water College’s Advance Strategic Art Program. The House Gaming Oversight and Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committees will hold a joint public hearing to receive testimony on casino gaming issues.
In Other News
- Governor Wolf outlines plan to invest additional $2.1 billion for highways and bridges through new Road MaP Program.
- Pennsylvania’s solar energy development planning began on Thursday.
- Report: Online gambling can bring Pa. more than $400 million in next six years
- State Rep. Rick Saccone officially launched a bid for U.S. Senate.