HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) has been reappointed to serve a second term on the House Appropriations Committee. The committee plays a key role in development of the annual state budget and must review and approve every bill that seeks to spend taxpayer money.
“Especially this year, as our Commonwealth seeks to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we scrutinize each and every dollar spent in the annual state budget,” Owlett said. “After all, it’s not the state’s money we are spending…it is yours.”
As a member of the committee, Owlett participates in a series of in-depth budget hearings with officials from every major state agency and department to determine their budgetary needs. He also plays a role in monitoring ongoing expenditures to ensure departments are operating within the confines of the enacted state budget.
“I am really grateful that Clint has agreed to serve on the Appropriations Committee for another session,” said Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York). “Drawing on his background running a small business, Clint keeps a watchful eye on government spending and fights to protect taxpayers.”
This year’s budget is again expected to be a challenging one as the state continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigation efforts that have taken a toll on the state’s businesses and employees.
The 2021-22 state budget process will begin next month when Gov. Tom Wolf publicly outlines his state budget proposal. That will be followed by budget hearings and passage of a final spending plan by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
