A Senate bill directed at using funds from legislative accounts to help balance the state budget has received support from area lawmakers.
Senate Bill 10, to be introduced by state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, would pump some $100 million from surplus funds of the accounts into the general fund this year.
"I think everybody in Harrisburg is cognizant of the fact that we have significant budget problems," said state Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock, a co-sponsor of the legislation.
Yaw said he feels the legislation has a good chance of passing, given the dire economic times and the overall budget situation.
"This funding would provide a much-needed revenue source, as we face a growing shortfall, without compromising the General Assembly's ability to operate in a crisis or an impasse."
Under the measure, sufficient funds would still be left in the accounts to continue with Senate operations for up to four months in case of an emergency or budget impasse.
The four legislative caucuses, including the two of the House, have about $200 million stashed away for emergency purposes during protracted budget negotiations, according to the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission.
Reformers in the past have targeted the accounts, arguing they are not subject to enough transparency.
Yaw said the money should not be confused with funds known as Walking Around Money (WAMS) or the state's Rainy Day Fund, which totals more than $700 million.
He said the measure is far from the perfect solution to help the state's budget problems.
"There is a double edge to this sword. This means other projects aren't going to get funded," he said. "It's going to be taken and put into the general fund for everyone's use."
However, Yaw said it is a means of cutting into the state's expected $2.3 billion shortfall without raising taxes.
"In these tough economic times, we all need to tighten our belts and look for ways to help make ends meet," he said.
Casey Long, director of policy and communications for Scarnati, agreed.
"The senator was looking for ways to balance the budget and at the same time avoid tax increases. He felt this was money that could be used for these purposes."
Long said Scarnati is also hoping to re-introduce Senate Bill 9, which would create tougher restrictions for receiving state benefits such as Medicaid.
He explained that many illegal immigrants are wrongly receiving such benefits.
"It would require people present a form of identification and also sign affadavits that they are legal residents."
