Over the next three weeks the Senate and House will hold hearings on Gov. Corbett’s FY 2013-14 General Fund budget. 

With the big issues of pension reform, liquor privatization, lottery privatization and a transportation funding plan as the foundation of the Governor’s entire budget, the budget discussion should be interesting to say the least.

Of course one of the four legs of the Corbett Administration’s budget stool-- the lottery contract-- was broken Thursday by Attorney General Kane when she rejected the contract.

Here are your yardsticks for measuring how well environmental funding is doing--

Corbett Proposes $10 Million Increase In Farmland Preservation, More DEP Staff Cuts

$1.8 Billion Cut/Diverted From Environmental Programs Over Last 11 Years

Growing Leaner: Shrinking Commitment To The Environment Over Last 10 Years

DEP, DCNR Secretary Respond To Concerns About Budget Cuts

Here’s the hearing schedule--

February 19-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 9:30 Governor’s Budget Office; 1:00 Public Utility Commission; 3:00 Independent Fiscal Office-Economic Outlook & Revenue Overview. Hearing Room 1, North Office.

February 19-- House Game and Fisheries Committee informational meeting on the Fish & Boat Commission annual report.  Room 60 East Wing. 1:00.

February 20-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 9:30 Department of Environmental Protection.  Room 140.

February 20-- House Game and Fisheries Committee informational meeting on the Game Commission annual report.  Room 60 East Wing. 9:15.

February 25-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Hearing Room 1, North Office.

February 26-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00 Department of Health. Hearing Room 1, North Office.

February 27-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 2:30 Department of Environmental Protection.  Hearing Room 1, North Office.

March 5-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00 Department of Agriculture. Hearing Room 1, North Office.

March 5-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 9:30 Department of Agriculture; 11:30 Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.  Room 140.

The PA Cable Network broadcasts all budget hearings on TV and online or you can watch through the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session online.

2/18/2013