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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2008
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Senate Republican Leaders to Return COLA

Senate Republicans Also Renew Call for House to Support $75 Million Cut in Legislative Reserves, Common-Sense Reform Measures

HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), Majority Whip Jane Orie (R-40), Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-34), Caucus Chairman Mike Waugh (R-28), and Caucus Secretary Bob Robbins (R-50) today announced that they would not accept the annual COLA, instead returning the money to the state Treasury.

“As we have said consistently, everything is on the table in terms of spending cuts as we address the state budget deficit,” said Senator Scarnati. “Government must live within its means, and this announcement is part of our commitment to do exactly that.”

Senator Pileggi said he will personally introduce a bill to officially suspend the COLA for legislators.

“We congratulate the House Democratic leaders for their decision,” said Senator Pileggi. “Now, we call on them to embrace additional initiatives which will cut costs and make government operations more transparent.”

In early 2007, Senate Republican leaders pushed to cut legislative reserves by at least $75 million. To date, that idea has not been supported by House Democratic leaders.

In October 2007, the Senate unanimously passed a bill (SB 986) sponsored by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-30) to prohibit bonuses for state employees. That bill died in the House Appropriations Committee.

In June 2008, the Senate unanimously passed a bill (SB 1499) sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-48) to tighten the restrictions on the use of state vehicles. The House State Government Committee never voted on this bill.

And in July 2008, the Senate unanimously passed a bill (SB 903) sponsored by Sen. Orie to eliminate “pinstripe patronage” in the awarding of state contracts. That legislation was also never considered by the House State Government Committee.

“These are common-sense reforms that will make a real difference in terms of saving taxpayer money,” Senator Pileggi said. “We plan to consider these bills – and other reform initiatives – in early 2009 and hope that the newly apparent spirit of reform in the House Democratic leaders will lead them to do the same.”

In recent years, appropriations to the Senate have declined significantly, dropping from $108.3 million in fiscal year 2005-06 to $101.8 million in fiscal year 2008-09, a decrease of more than 6 percent.

The actual number of employees in the Senate Republican Caucus has been reduced from 452 in January 2006 to 413, a decrease of 8.6 percent.

“Cutting costs is an ongoing commitment for us,” said Senator Scarnati. “We will continue to look for ways to save money.” 

CONTACTS:

Erik Arneson (Senator Pileggi), (717) 787-4712, earneson@pasen.gov
Tim Nyquist (Senator Scarnati), (717) 787-7084, mnyquist@pasen.gov