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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 4, 2016 03:10 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Kim L. Ward |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Making Public Budget Negotiations Public During an Impasse |
| I am introducing legislation to have budget negotiations open to the public if the General Assembly and Governor don't come to an agreement by the June 30th deadline. This year’s budget process has shown the significant negative consequences of an extended late budget. When the Commonwealth isn't able to fund even core functions of state government, the costs to school districts, senior centers, etc. increase as they ware forced to borrow money to keep their doors open. We can no longer tolerate our school kids and vulnerable citizens being used as pawns in the budget process. Opening up negotiations for public scrutiny when the fiscal year begins without a budget will bring transparency and accountability, and maybe even a little confidence, to the people we are elected to represent. My bill will amend the Sunshine Act to require one-hour public notice via posting on the Internet and notification to the Capitol newsroom of budget meetings between the Governor and General Assembly that occur after an impasse has started either due to failure to enact a budget for the current fiscal year or a line-item veto of it. |
Introduced as SB1137