2008 Budget Hearings
Highlights and Summaries
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday,
March 3, 2008
Hearings
listed alphabetically
here
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Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources -
Summary Several senators raised concerns about a decision this year by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to no longer employ lifeguards at state park beaches. Senator John Gordner, 27th District, asked DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis if the change was made to cut costs or because of staffing difficulties. Senator Gordner and Senator Pat Vance, 31st District, raised concerns about liability issues if drownings occur. Secretary DiBerardinis said the move is actually part of a five-year trend to reduce lifeguards at state parks, adding that Pennsylvania is not out of step with other states. Senator Gordner noted that the Legislature had not been aware of that trend. Pointing to the biggest threat from gypsy moths in over a decade, Senator Mary Jo White, 21st District, wanted assurances that the Department’s allocation was adequate to deal with infestations. Senator Roger Madigan, 23rd District, echoed those concerns, saying that gypsy moths and other forest pests are a major concern to the timber industry. Senator White also asked Secretary DiBerardinis about the Department’s decision to raise user fees at state parks and whether the Department has the authority to levy admission fees. Senator John Rafferty, 44th District, wanted to know whether the number of park employees will increase when user fees rise. Secretary DiBerardinis said the fee increases will be modest and competitive with other states and all new revenue will go back into the park system. Senator Rafferty and a number of other senators said they are very interested in a proposed flood mapping project that DCNR is currently undertaking throughout the state to identify flood-prone areas. “State government needs to make recommendations to county and local government once we get that information,” Senator Rafferty said. “I think the information is invaluable.” Senator Madigan said many municipalities are discovering that their flood maps are very much out of date, and he wanted to know when the new maps will be available and how communities could access them. Secretary DiBerardinis said the Department is committed to making the technology available and sharing it with anyone who could find it useful. Noting that many sewage treatment plants are being asked to spend a great deal of money as part of the Chesapeake Watershed clean-up initiative, Senator Vance asked what DCNR is doing to keep pollution from state park and forest lands out of streams. As a sponsor of the state’s Rails to Trails Program, Senator Stewart Greenleaf, 12th District, asked for a status report on the program and how it is being received. He noted that because Pennsylvania was a major railroading state, the Commonwealth has many abandoned rail lines that are ideal for hiking and biking. State Police -
Senator Rafferty, Chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, opened the budget hearing with the Pennsylvania State Police by asking Commissioner Colonel Jeffrey Miller to respond to “disturbing testimony” by members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission that the State Police withheld information that led to the granting of a license to Mount Airy Casino Resort owner Louis DeNaples. Colonel Miller -- saying he was disturbed by misinformation and personal attacks by PGC members -- provided a detailed account of the State Police investigation of DeNaples, which he said was completely separate from the background investigation by the Gaming Commission prior to its issuance of a license to Mount Airy Resort. Colonel Miller said former PGC Chairman Tad Decker was fully aware that under federal law the State Police, the FBI, and the state Attorney General could not provide information regarding criminal investigations to a “non-criminal justice” agency, in this case the PGC. “The Pennsylvania State Police followed the letter of the law in every instance,” Colonel Miller said. Noting that Colonel Miller made it clear that PGC investigators were informed that an investigation of DeNaples was underway, Senator Pat Browne, 16th District, raised serious concerns about the misinterpretation of state laws regarding the issuance of gaming licenses. “How could they (PGC) issue a license if they knew an investigation was going on?” Senator Browne added that the law may have to be “tightened up” to prevent similar problems in the future. Responding to a question from Senator Gordner regarding potential changes to the gaming law, Colonel Miller suggested opening “suitability hearings” for applicants to the public and to allow more input by the Attorney General’s office. “We can write new laws, but ultimately people have to operate under the laws. At the minimum someone is not being honest with this committee,” said Senator Jake Corman, 34th District. “Someone made a decision to turn a blind eye to the information that was available.” Senator White requested an update on the State Police’s proposed six communications centers, including one planned for Clarion, and the rollout of the statewide 800 megahertz radio system. She also criticized the round-the-clock use of “highly trained” state troopers at casinos, when they could be replaced by security personnel. “The presence of the State Police in these facilities is not particularly useful,” Senator White said. Senator Gordner asked for a justification for proposed significant increases in fees for background checks for firearm purchases. Commenting on the costs incurred by having the State Police provide coverage in municipalities that don’t have their own police forces, Senator Vance said it is “inherently unfair” for those municipalities to receive half of the revenue raised from citations issued by the State Police. Colonel Miller estimated that a total of $8.5 million is going to those municipalities from those fines. Senator James Rhoades, 29th District, noted that State Police staffing is currently about 185 troopers below its full complement. He asked if a review had been undertaken regarding the increased workload of the State Police, including its roles with gaming and in providing background checks. Senator John Pippy, 37th District, asked about State Police readiness and capabilities to address emergency situations in cooperation with PEMA and the Pennsylvania National Guard. Senator Pippy also asked if the State Police patrolled the highways around Pittsburgh as it does in Philadelphia. Colonel Miller said the State Police has a good working relationship with the Pittsburgh Police Department. Senator Greenleaf asked whether other states have experienced problems, particularly with organized crime, associated with gaming. Colonel Miller said the State Police work and talk continuously with law enforcement officials from other states to learn how to address crimes associated with gaming. Appropriations Committee Chairman Senator Gib Armstrong, 13th District, said he’s received a number of calls from veterans’ organizations and social organizations regarding stepped up law enforcement by the State Police regarding small games of chance, particularly in south-central Pennsylvania. Senator Armstrong said the perception is that enforcement was stepped up with the opening of slot machine revenues. Colonel Miller said the State Police has not stepped up enforcement with the opening of the slot machine venues, but because of complaints. Investigations revealed that many organizations are taking in much more than the $5,000 per-week maximum allowed under state statute. Senator Armstrong asked how the Amish, who shun photographs, are able to purchase firearms. Colonel Miller said he didn’t know how they were able to meet the legal requirements, but would check into it. |
