Budget Transparency? I Can’t See It!

Since I was elected six years ago, I have been in the minority in the Senate. There are certain things that you come to expect when in the minority—that you will have to fight twice as hard to have legislation considered, even when it is good legislation; that you will have to search for new and creative ways for your voice—the voice of your constituents—to be heard; that you will have to be proactive, rather than reactive; and that you will have to work together to be able to achieve accomplishments in your district. The one thing that I did not expect was to be completely shut out of the budget process—yet for the first time in my six years, that is exactly what has happened.

Some may say that it is something we should have expected—the state budget process has typically been rank-and-file members waiting while a small group of leaders hammer out an agreement. In fact, I have written about my frustration over just that fact in the past. The difference has been that during that process, our caucus leaders were at least at the table and information on what was being discussed—including detail on what had been agreed to and what was still being negotiated—did come back to us through those leaders.

I listened with great care to Governor Corbett’s inaugural address this past January. While I may disagree with some of his philosophies and decisions, I was comforted to hear his focus: 

“We must act to renew the people’s trust in government. We must restore transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline. But we will move forward with government and legislative reform because, without it, there is no good government. We need good government. The people now demand it. And they deserve it. We will lead the way toward a government that understands that, just as families have found a way to live within their means, it too must budget in a way that is responsible and honest, a government that has the courage to find fiscal strength in restraint, a government that shows compassion for those most in need and recognizes its citizens’ great investment, a government that must yield them a hopeful, realistic return.”

~ Governor Tom Corbett (Jan. 18, 2011 Inaugural Address)

Yet, that has not been what has happened. The majority party has negotiated behind closed doors with no thought to transparency, or even accountability. They believe that they must only answer to their own constituents, or just the ones that voted for them, rather than to all residents of the Commonwealth. They share limited information with the news media, but little to none with their colleagues in their own Chambers. Because they control the votes, they believe that they have no responsibility beyond sharing the information with their own caucuses. We can count and we know what the result of this budget process will be, but we also respect the democratic process and expect to have proper debate and public transparency on this fiscal plan for our state.

This also applies to the myriad of bills that may be passed along with the budget—we are not talking about inconsequential issues. There are rumors that the bills being considered before summer recess could include vouchers and charter school legislation, Marcellus shale fees, substantial changes to the Public Welfare Code, distracted driving, a takeover of the City of Harrisburg and referendum exceptions for local property tax increases. None of these are items that should be taken lightly, nor should they be made part and parcel of the budget process. We should have a thoughtful and democratic debate and discussion on these items, allow community participation and be cognizant of the fact that we were elected to represent the people. Without allowing them to be part of the process, we do them a great disservice.

Thomas Jefferson remarked on the importance of transparency in government 200 years ago in a letter he wrote to Treasurer Albert Gallatin in 1802: “We might hope to see the finances as clear and intelligible as a merchant's books, so that every member of Congress, and every man of every mind in the Union should be able to comprehend them, to investigate abuses, and consequently, to control them.”

Today, transparency in government operations is no less important and is discussed at all levels of government. Voters expect that their local officials will be accountable, understanding of spending priorities and economic conditions, and act in the voters’ best interests. Our own Constitution provides that “All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and institute for their peace, safety and happiness.” That public awareness and understanding of government ensures stability and confidence in the government.

There are plenty of examples of how we have crafted legislation that addresses concerns from all members of the General Assembly, and their constituents. There are also plenty of ways that we can improve the process and allow a greater voice to all members—and to the residents of this great Commonwealth, independent of the legislative process. I hope that we learn from those examples, listen to our constituency, work together to provide for a better Commonwealth and be true to the vows of transparency and accountability that have been made to the residents.

The Senate Appropriations Committee meeting originally scheduled for Sunday, June 26th was postponed to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27th. All amendments offered by the Senate Democrats were defeated on a party-line vote. Because the spreadsheets detailing the budget "deal" were received just prior to Monday's meeting, there has not been much opportunity to move through them and provide detail. I have linked the General Fund spreadsheet and the School District Funding spreadsheet to this message for your reference and use.