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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Senator Orie: New Independent Fiscal Office to Help Reform Budget ProcessA provision included in the new State Budget will help fundamentally reform Pennsylvania’s budgeting process while increasing transparency and accountability in state government, according to Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40). Act 50 of 2009 establishes an independent fiscal office -- a non-partisan, bi-cameral agency -- with expertise in financial matters. The fiscal office would have access to the same agency and department financial information as the Governor’s Budget Office. One of the key duties of this office will be to set a binding revenue estimate by June 15th for the coming fiscal year. This would clearly set the parameters by which the legislature can consider a spending plan. "Right now, the Governor alone certifies a revenue estimate," said Sen. Orie. "The budget process would be much more transparent and streamlined if everyone went forward knowing exactly how much money was available." State agencies and departments will be required to submit their budget requests to the independent fiscal office at the same time they submit them to the Office of the Budget. Pennsylvania is currently one of only eight states where the Legislature does not receive the agency budget requests. The fiscal office would also develop performance measures for state programs and departments and evaluate the performance reviews of those programs and departments as reported by the Administration. These provisions would be extremely helpful during tough economic times such as Pennsylvania experienced this year. The agency budget requests would enable the Legislature to see their priorities and the performance evaluations would give the General Assembly a better idea of the effectiveness of state supported services and programs.
CONTACT: Nate Silcox |
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