PRINTER'S NO. 3718
No. 537 Session of 2000
INTRODUCED BY SCRIMENTI, TIGUE, BELARDI, GEORGE, BELFANTI,
BARRAR, STABACK, SOLOBAY, WOJNAROSKI, PETRARCA, DeWEESE,
M. COHEN, BEBKO-JONES, FAIRCHILD, SHANER, YOUNGBLOOD, HASAY,
STEELMAN AND WASHINGTON, JUNE 13, 2000
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JUNE 13, 2000
A RESOLUTION
1 Authorizing and directing the Committee on State Government to
2 review State services provided by the Department of Public
3 Welfare and the Department of Labor and Industry and other
4 State government agencies in order to determine how branch
5 offices in rural areas can be best retained as efforts to
6 reduce operating costs are implemented.
7 WHEREAS, Numerous branch offices which provide a variety of
8 essential State services to rural areas have been closed or are
9 under consideration for closure; and
10 WHEREAS, Reasons for reducing the number of branch offices
11 include cost reduction, centralization of electronic systems and
12 general fiscal economy; and
13 WHEREAS, Centralization of essential services, although cost-
14 effective, does not comport with the purpose of government,
15 which is to be available to the people who need help the most;
16 and
17 WHEREAS, Rural residents who are most in need and who depend
18 upon accessibility of State offices are threatened with loss of
19 access; and
1 WHEREAS, It is necessary to explore alternative measures
2 which will enable retention of local access to necessary
3 service; therefore be it
4 RESOLVED, That the Committee on State Government be
5 authorized and directed to examine, investigate and make a
6 complete study of all matters relating to the problem of the
7 closing of branch offices in rural areas in order to determine
8 how they can be best retained as efforts to reduce operating
9 costs are implemented by the Department of Public Welfare, the
10 Department of Labor and Industry and other State government
11 agencies; and be it further
12 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
13 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
14 necessary in this Commonwealth. Each member of the committee
15 shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations to
16 witnesses appearing before the committee; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That the committee is authorized to hire or
18 contract for such staff as it deems necessary and the expenses
19 incurred by the committee shall be paid from accounts under the
20 control of the Chief Clerk; and be it further
21 RESOLVED, That the committee shall report its findings
22 together with its recommendations for remedial legislation or
23 other appropriate action at the earliest practicable date to the
24 House of Representatives.
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