HARRISBURG – Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee Chair Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46) released the following statement after today’s joint committee hearing regarding Governor Wolf’s plan to consolidate four state agencies into a single entity:
“I’m encouraged that the hearing offered a number of different perspectives on the proposed merger and helped identify some of the biggest issues that must be resolved in order for the plan to be considered. Members of both parties are interested in finding ways to reduce the cost of state government. Although some questions still remain regarding how individual programs and services would be impacted by the proposed merger, the testimony offered today should move us closer to the goal of reducing redundancies and consolidating services.
“I appreciate the work of the various Department heads in moving us closer to the answers we need to make an informed decision on the Governor’s proposed cost-saving measures. I look forward to ensuring every aspect of this plan is thoroughly vetted through additional hearings in the weeks and months to come.”
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Aging and Youth Committee, Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, and Senate Appropriations Committee’s Health and Human Services Subcommittee heard testimony from representatives from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Aging and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, as well as other members of the Wolf Administration.
Video of the first panel of the hearing is available here. Video of the second panel will be available soon at www.senatorbartolotta.com.
CONTACT: Katrina Anderson (717) 787-1463