On Wednesday, March 6, I questioned the Office of the Budget Secretary Jen Swails about outside entities embedding workers in PA state agencies.
On Tuesday, March 5, I spoke to Department of Agiculture Secretary Russell Redding about how many farmers, especially dairy farmers, are suffering. I also asked him what PA is doing to manage, grow and market industrial hemp being that several residents fighting to stay in the industry have asked me questions about opportunities available with this new commodity.
Yesterday, March 4, I questioned Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera about funding for career and technical education and why this funding is not going through the typical funding formula.
On Monday, Feb. 25, I questioned representatives of the Pa State Police during our Appropriations Hearing about current commercial vehicle ban procedures.
During the Criminal Justice Appropriations hearing on Monday, Feb. 25, I discussed the possible closing of one of our local state correctional facilities and that impact on our area as well as questioned the officials from the various criminal justice state departments about inmate populations here in PA and the taking in of out-of-state inmates.
Last week, I had the opportunity to question Attorney General Josh Shapiro about his views on the appropriateness of having outside special interest groups funding attorneys, specifically law enforcement agency attorneys, within PA state government.
During recent appropriations hearings, I questioned Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on the audits his office conducted on PA’s two river basin commissions.
I also was able to question PA State Treasurer Joseph Torsella about our state’s investment pools and pension funds.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell provided me and the rest of the House Appropriations Committee some insight as to how the use of natural gas has improved our air quality here in the Commonwealth.
Pa. State Rep. Jonathan Fritz argues in favor of House Resolution 515 which would allow natural gas drilling in the Delaware River Basin.