How about the people paying the bills???

Well, the Senate released its schedule for the 2006-07 Budget hearings. After Gov. Rendell presents his $24-25 BILLION taxpayer tab in early February to the General Assembly, the Senate has a slate of hearings to, as Senate Appropriations Chairman Bob Thompson says, "provide additional details of how the proposals contained in the Governor’s budget will affect the people of Pennsylvania."

However, as you'll note below, NOT A SINGLE TAXPAYER or representative of the people of Pennsylvania will be heard from. Only TAXEATERS will be making their case for MORE money. Could you imagine someone from the Dept. of Welfare saying, "Thanks, but we don't need anymore money. In fact, go ahead and trim a few hundred million from our budget"?

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2006-07 Budget hearings schedule set
Appropriations Committee begins sessions on February 27

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a two-week series of Departmental Budget Hearings beginning on February 27, Committee Chairman Senator Robert J. Thompson, R-Chester and Montgomery, announced today.

“These hearings provide an opportunity for the Appropriations Committee to hear cabinet secretaries and the administration discuss their plans for the upcoming fiscal year,” Senator Thompson said. “These hearings are especially important because they will provide additional details of how the proposals contained in the Governor’s budget will affect the people of Pennsylvania.” [emphasis added]

All hearings will be held in the Senate Majority Caucus Room (Room 156) on the main level of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. The hearing schedule is as follows:

Monday, February 27 – Department of General Services, 9:30 a.m.; Department of Banking, 10:45 a.m.; Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, 1:15 p.m.; Budget Secretary, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, February 28 – Liquor Control Board, 9 a.m.; Department of State, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Revenue, 1:15 p.m.; State Related Universities, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 1 – State Gaming Control Board, 9 a.m.; Insurance Department, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Agriculture, 1:15 p.m.; State System of Higher Education, 2:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 2 – Department of Labor and Industry, 9 a.m.; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 10:30 a.m.; Department of Health, 1:15 p.m.; Department of Community and Economic Development, 2:45 p.m.

Monday, March 6 – Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, 9:30 a.m.; Public Utility Commission, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Education, 1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, March 7 – Department of Transportation, 9 a.m.; PA School Employees’ Retirement System & State Employees Retirement System, 1:15 p.m.; Department of Corrections, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, March 8 – Department of Public Welfare 9 a.m.; Judiciary 1:15 p.m.; State Police, 2:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 9 – Department of Aging, 9 a.m.; Board of Probation and Parole, 10:30 a.m.; Department of Environmental Protection, 1:15 p.m.

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Contact: Tom Starke (717) 787-1456