May 29th, 2009

On Monday state lawmakers will return to Harrisburg for what is supposed to be the last month of budget negotiations.  Expect closed door meetings between legislative leaders, political sniping from both sides, and some session on weekends to work out the final details (hopefully before deadline). 

Schedule for both chambers is as follows:

June 1, 2, 3;  June 8, 9, 10;  June 15, 16, 17;  June 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30. 

This past week the Senate Republicans introduced a bill to create a state agency called the Legislative Fiscal Office.  They deemed the proposal Senate Bill 1, a spot traditionally given to the caucus’ number one legislative priority. 

According to online news service Capitolwire, the Republicans say this Office would provide a more objective and accurate view of state fiscal data.  They have said that the Governors office’s current monopoly on this information is sometimes used strategically to aid in achieving policy goals.