Truth in Hiring Act Seeks to End Executive Branch Employee ‘Offshoring’
June 15, 2018
| Legislative Report | ||
| The latest news from the State Capitol | ||
| Truth in Hiring Act Seeks to End Executive Branch Employee ‘Offshoring’ For decades it has been a bipartisan last practice to allow certain state agencies, including the governor’s office, to charge other state agencies for the cost of their employees. As a result, governors of both parties have been able to hide the total cost of their offices by “offshoring” or charging other state agencies for work done by executive staff to assist a particular agency. The charge, which shows up as a budgetary “augmentation” for the governor’s office, will reflect a significantly lower appropriation for that agency in state budget documents. In order to provide taxpayers and the General Assembly with an accurate number of agency employees and operating costs, I have introduced the Truth in Hiring Act. Under House Bill 2479, no agency, including the governor’s office, may charge another agency to cover the cost of their employees’ salaries. The Truth in Hiring Act would also require the budget secretary to provide the General Assembly with a report on the total number of employees and the cost associated with them for each agency. At the same time, the budget secretary must include in the report the total augmentations received by other agencies of the executive branch to cover the cost of their employees.
The above graphic shows the difference in the budgetary cost of an agency and its real cost.
House Bill 2479 has been referred to the House State Government Committee for consideration. |
||
| Mon Valley Moment: You’re Invited to Coal Center Concealed Carry Seminar
Our next Concealed Carry Seminar will be held on Saturday, July 14, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association, 1069 Sloan Lane, Coal Center. PA Kim Stolfer, president, Firearms Owners Against Crime; Dr. Michael Hummel, police officer and professor of criminal justice; and Washington County Chief Deputy Sheriff James Dalessandro or representative will present the facts and answer questions about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry process, the Castle Doctrine and other valuable information regarding firearms safety and state gun laws including:
Whether you are considering applying for a permit or already have one, this seminar offers a unique opportunity for both prospective and experienced firearm owners to expand their knowledge of existing gun laws and get a better understanding about freely and responsibly exercising your right to keep and bear arms. Due to seating limitations, interested individuals should register for this event as soon as possible by calling my Bentleyville district office at (724) 669-2242. |
||
| Attention Hunters: Internet Update Could Block Online License Purchases
The update affects all purchasing websites – not just the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing System – and users of older-model computers are impacted most because many of these systems will be unable to make online purchases of any kind once the update is complete. Newer computers largely won’t be affected, though users might need to install updated versions of operating systems and web browsers. According to the Game Commission, the easiest way to determine whether your computer will be capable of making internet purchases once the update is complete is by clicking here to test your system. If your machine passes the test, it should be good to go in making future online purchases, including buying a hunting license. Licenses for the 2018-19 license year go on sale Monday, June 18. The licenses become valid July 1 and, after that date, all who hunt, trap or who want to apply for an antlerless deer license must have an up-to-date 2018-19 license to do so. A complete list of licensing requirements can be found at www.pgc.pa.gov. |
||
| Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended Until Dec. 31
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. Copies of the forms, as well as FREE assistance with filing them, are available by contacting my Bentleyville district office at (724) 669-2242 and online at RepBudCook.com. As of June 1, the department had received 472,564 rebate applications. As specified by law, rebate distributions cannot begin until July 2. After June 30, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed. Applications typically take four to six weeks to process. For the 2016 program year, more than $262 million was paid to nearly 600,000 income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities who applied for rebates on rent and property taxes. Claimants who already applied for rebates may check the status of claims online at www.revenue.pa.gov by clicking on the “Where’s My Property Tax/Rent Rebate?” link. Claimants may also call, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES to check the status of their rebates. |
Let's Get Connected |
Our District |
Web Site repbudcook.com |
Sign Up to Receive Legislative Email Updates
Keep up-to-date on the latest legislative and community news. Your email address will be used strictly for legislative purposes.