Westmoreland Review

A resolution aimed at maintaining transparency and the balance of power between legislative branches was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate. The move, announced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, addresses a subpoena compliance issue involving the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Secretary Patrick M. Browne.

Senate Resolution 334 comes in response to Secretary Browne's refusal to comply with a subpoena from the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, issued on July 10, 2024. For over eighteen months, the committee has sought information about the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). With this resolution's adoption, Secretary Browne is required to appear before the Senate for questioning within three legislative days.

Despite this development, Governor Shapiro's administration has filed a lawsuit against the Senate to prevent inquiries into the NIZ. "The Shapiro Administration’s move to block the Senate from obtaining information related to the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) is not only premature but legal overkill," stated Ward. She questioned what might be hidden by Governor Shapiro and his administration. Ward highlighted that more than $700 million has been diverted from the General Fund since NIZ's inception—funds she believes could support essential services like daycares and schools.

Pittman emphasized that their objective is for Revenue Secretary Browne to explain his non-compliance with the subpoena. "We have asked for the information by every other means and our efforts have continually been thwarted," he said. He stressed that accurate information is crucial for legislative review of authorized programs.

The legislative branch holds responsibility under Pennsylvania's Constitution to assess statutory programs and consider necessary changes or eliminations.