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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Senate Appropriations Committee Adds Special Budget HearingWhile it is customary for state departments and agencies to discuss their proposed funding in budget hearings, those who have their funding axed usually must make their case outside the process. That will change this year, as the institutions and the programs that again fell victim to the Governor's budget cuts will have a chance to publicly detail their contributions to the Commonwealth, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Gib Armstrong. "These programs enjoy wide legislative support and provide substantial community benefits. We intend to put the spotlight on these success stories," Armstrong stated. The Senate Appropriations Committee will be taking testimony from more than a dozen groups who saw their funding cut or eliminated in Governor Rendell's proposed state budget. Science in Motion, New Choices/New Options, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine are notable examples of affected programs. "Some of the programs that are zeroed out get the best bang for the buck in the state budget. Some offer services in parts of the state where there is no affordable alternative. Some use the state money to draw down larger amounts of federal and private funding. We want to give the individuals running these unique and innovative programs a chance to report on their accomplishments and to describe what continued state funding will produce in the way of worthy results," Armstrong said. "The cut-and-restore funding process these groups have to go through each year gives the misleading impression that their efforts are low in value. The reality is quite different. In nearly every case, these are proven programs, filling important gaps in education, health care, and economic development. They are unfortunate victims of a budget game that has been played by Governors and Budget Secretaries of both parties," Armstrong pointed out. The hearing is set for Tuesday, March 11, in the Senate Majority Caucus Room, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
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