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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2010
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Independent Fiscal Office Advances

Included in the recently-passed State Budget package was language that commits the General Assembly to establish an independent fiscal office, a non-partisan and bi-cameral agency with expertise in financial matters. Much like what is done at the federal level, the Independent Fiscal Office would have access to the same agency and department financial information as the Governor's Budget Office; monitor economic conditions in the Commonwealth; provide a binding revenue estimate for budgetary purposes; and examine expenditures by agencies and departments. Senate Bill 1042 calls for the legislature to enact legislation by October 1st.

"Establishing an Independent Fiscal Office will help fundamentally reform Pennsylvania's budgeting process while increasing transparency and accountability in state government, according to Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40).

While Senator Orie voted against SB 1042 due to objectionable provisions in the bill, she is a cosponsor of SB 1, which would establish an Independent Fiscal Office.

Legislature Sends Rx Redistribution Bill to Governor

Legislation authorizing state and county prisons to redistribute unopened prescription medicines is now before the Governor for his approval.

Senate Bill 1044 authorizes correctional facilities to return medicine to the pharmaceutical wholesaler for credit and redistribution to other correctional facilities. Currently, correctional facilities are not authorized to do anything with unopened medications that they don't need. This measure gives individual correctional facilities the latitude to adjust their inventories. Medications can be returned for credit and then redistributed to other facilities where they are needed. SB 1044 is modeled after prescription drug recycling laws in 37 states, and is expected to save our state $1 million.

Senate Passes Measure to Audit Methadone Treatment

Legislation authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs received final Senate approval.

Senate Resolution 348, co-sponsored by Sen. Orie, directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to report on methadone treatment and transportation costs as well as average length of methadone maintenance.  The LBFC will conduct a performance audit to examine the annual cost to the Commonwealth for methadone treatment and the length of treatment for each individual receiving treatment, and specifically determine whether there is a narcotic treatment plan for recovery from an individual's drug addiction rather than maintenance to methadone.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-6538