HARRISBURG, PA – The state Senate’s Appropriations Committee, Chaired by Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), will begin its annual Budget Hearings on February 22, 2022. The committee will receive testimony from many of the state’s largest departments centered on their past fiscal and programmatic performances and an opportunity to vet, in an open and transparent manner, their budgetary requests for Fiscal Year 2022-23.

Twenty-five departments and agencies will be testifying this year. The last hearing will be on March 17, 2022.

“Given the role the Senate Appropriations Committee plays in crafting the state’s annual budget, the budget hearing process is fundamental in affording members the opportunity to ask department heads questions about their appropriations requests and the ability to provide direct fiscal oversight of Pennsylvania’s finances,” Chairman Browne said. “Now, more than ever, we need to develop a responsible budget that does not burden our Commonwealth’s long-term financial future, which would inevitably lead to tax increases on citizens, families and job creators. I look forward to these public hearings and to fully vetting the governor’s budget proposal with my colleagues as we work towards advancing a final budget.”

 

The current hearing schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, February 22
  • 10:00 a.m. Independent Fiscal Office
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Revenue & Lottery

• Wednesday, February 23
  • 10:00 a.m. Pennsylvania Treasury Department
  • 2:30 p.m.   Office of the Auditor General

• Thursday, February 24
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Corrections / Board of Probation and Parole
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Transportation

• Tuesday, March 1
  • 10:00 a.m. Office of the Attorney General
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Community and Economic Development

• Wednesday, March 2
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Environmental Protection

• Thursday, March 3
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Agriculture
  • 2:30 p.m.   State-Related Universities

• Tuesday, March 8
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Human Services
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Human Services Continued

• Wednesday, March 9
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Health
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of State

• Thursday, March 10
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Education
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Education Continued

• Tuesday, March 15
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Labor & Industry
  • 2:30 p.m.   Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

• Wednesday, March 16
  • 10:00 a.m. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
  • 2:30 p.m.   Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

• Thursday, March 17
  • 10:00 a.m. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
  • 2:30 p.m.   Budget Secretary / Department of General Services

The 24-member Senate Appropriations committee is tasked with oversight of the state’s fiscal matters and reviews and determines the fiscal impact that legislation has on the state’s finances. The committee has a central role in crafting and advancing the state’s annual budget.

Hearings will be streamed live on Senator Browne’s website: www.SenatorBrowne.com . Hearing replays and synopsis can also be accessed via the website. Additional coverage and commentary can be found on Senator Browne’s Twitter, @SenatorBrowne, and Facebook, @SenatorBrowne.

Information provided to TVL by:
Matt Szuchyt
Deputy Director of Policy & Communications
Senator Pat Browne
Majority Appropriations Chairman
PA 16th Senatorial District
www.senatorbrowne.com

 

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