Budget Hearing Wrap with Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Feb. 23, 2024 /

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Executive Director and CFO Robin Wiessmann and Deputy Executive Director and Chief Counsel Leonidas Pandeladis testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on how the PHFA is improving their services after their high-profile failure with distributions from the Federal CARES Act for rent and mortgage relief programs. Additionally, Republicans asked for details on the Governor’s plan to spend more money through the PHFA in the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, commonly referred to the “PHARE” program.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Corrections and Probation and Parole Board

Feb. 23, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their line of questioning on cost increases for the department, even though the prison population in Pennsylvania has been declining. Republicans also asked what the DOC can do to help counties deal with the recent increase in high-profile prison escapes and increases violent incidents.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Agriculture

Feb. 22, 2024 /

Department of Agriculture (Ag) Secretary Russell Redding, and Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hosttetter testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on proposed spending increases for the Department and how these new dollars will directly help Pennsylvania farmers. Additionally, Republicans asked, and were again dismayed, at the lack of planning for another of the Governor’s key budget initiatives – adult-use cannabis regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Aging

Feb. 22, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on how the Department of Aging is meeting the needs of Pennsylvania’s growing elderly population. Additionally, Republicans asked why the department’s budget material provided no details on the $11.7 million request for the “Aging Our Way, PA” plan, and how this investment will reduce the need for more costly levels of care for the growing senior population. Republicans also asked pointed questions on the Department’s handling of reports of elder abuse and neglect, leading to frustrating replies from Sec. Kavulich.

Budget Hearing with Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

Feb. 21, 2024 /

Dr. Daniel Greenstein, the Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on the fiscal health of the 11 Universities under the PASSHE system. Additionally, Republicans asked about the potential issues with Governor Shapiro’s opaque “blueprint” for Higher Education and its impact on PASSHE schools.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Revenue

Feb. 20, 2024 /

For the second consecutive year under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, spending is poised to outpace revenue, leading House Republicans to question the fiscal stability of his proposal. Additionally, Republicans recited conversations with their constituents concerning the untimely processing of applications for Property Tax and Rent Rebates last year which resulted in an unnecessary delay of much needed relief for seniors.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Dept. of Community and Economic Development

Feb. 20, 2024 /

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, along with Executive Deputy Secretary Mike Hanna Jr., testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on many of the bloated and potentially wasteful spending proposals within DCED. This includes spending millions on new programs while cutting others with a track record of success at the same time

Grove Comments on Failure of House Bill 612

Jul. 06, 2023 /

HARRISBURG – The following statement is issued on behalf of House Republican Appropriation Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) on the failure of HB 612 on July 6, 2023.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Budget Hearing Wrap

Apr. 14, 2023 /

PUC Chairwoman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, Vice Chairman Stephen DeFrank, and Commissioners John Coleman, Ralph Yanora, and Kathryn Zerfuss, testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on improvements to railway safety, increasing energy rates, energy transport reliability, and the adverse impacts of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Budget Hearing Wrap with Governor’s Office of the Budget

Apr. 14, 2023 /

Secretary Uri Monson, testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on the overall fiscal health of the Commonwealth. Republicans also asked about specific budget proposals that were and were not in the budget, including Lifeline Scholarships.

Pension Systems Budget Hearing Wrap

Apr. 13, 2023 /

Pennsylvania School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) Chairman, Chris Santa Maria, Terri Sanchez, Executive Director, and Ben Cotton, Chief Investment Officer, and State Employee Retirement System (SERS) Executive Director, Joseph Torta, James Nolan, Chief Investment Officer, Sara McSurdy, Chief Financial Officer, and Joe Marcucci, Chief Counsel, testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on the fiscal health of the two systems. This included understanding the unfunded liabilities, investment costs, and future plans of the systems.

PA Department of Community and Economic Development Budget Hearing Wrap

Apr. 13, 2023 /

Acting Secretary Rick Siger, along with Mike Hanna Jr, Executive Deputy Secretary, testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on how DCED intends to grow our economy through responsible initiatives training workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

PA Office of State Inspector General Budget Hearing Wrap

Apr. 12, 2023 /

State Inspector General, Lucas Miller, along with Clarke Madden, First Deputy State Inspector General, and Melissa Yerges, Deputy State Inspector General, testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on how the agency is working to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in state government.

PA Department of Revenue Budget Hearing Wrap

Apr. 12, 2023 /

Acting Secretary Pat Browne, along with Drew Svitko, Executive Director of PA Lottery, John Kaschak, Executive Deputy Secretary, Amy Gill, Deputy Secretary for Tax Policy, and Christin Heidingsfelder, Deputy Secretary for Administration, testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused the majority of our questions on the operations of the DOR and the Pennsylvania Lottery, revenue collections and estimates for the current and upcoming fiscal years, and the various tax changes proposed by Governor Shapiro.