Harrisburg Think Tank to Host Pennsylvania Budget Summit

Teaser: 

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host a daylong Budget Summit on Thursday, February 23 at the Hilton Harrisburg to educate the public on budgetary issues at the state and federal level. Media coverage is invited.

Media Contact: Chris Lilienthal, Communications Director, 717-829-4823

Members of the media interested in covering the Summit should RSVP to: lilienthal@pennbpc.org

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host a daylong Budget Summit on Thursday, February 23 at the Hilton Harrisburg to educate the public on budgetary issues at the state and federal level. Media coverage is invited. Please RSVP to lilienthal@pennbpc.org.

When: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where: Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg

Budget experts will provide an in-depth look at the state and federal budget plans and what they mean for communities and families across Pennsylvania.

Summit Agenda: The following sessions and workshops are open to the media:

9:15-10:00

Out of the Frying Pan: PA’s 2012-13 State Budget (Lancaster/Gettysburg Room)
Michael Wood and Sharon Ward, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center

10:00-10:30

The Federal Budget and Implications for Pennsylvania (Lancaster/Gettysburg Room)
Joan Huffer, Director, Federal Budget Initiative, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

10:30-11:00

Overview: Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (Lancaster/Gettysburg Room)
Matthew Knittel, Director

11:15-12:15

Breakout Sessions

Health Care Cuts, Global Waivers, and the Future of the Social Safety Net in PA (Governor Room)
       Judy Solomon, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
       Michael Froelich, Community Legal Services 

Is Education Becoming a Luxury?  Education and Pennsylvania’s Future (Brady Room)
       Dr. Eric Eshbach, Upper Adams School District
       Ron Cowell, Education Policy Leadership Center

12:30-1:15

Legislative Perspectives on the Budget (Lancaster/Gettysburg Room)
        Senator Vincent Hughes
        Representative Scott Petri

2:00-3:00

Breakout Sessions

Taking a Balanced Approach: Revenue Options for 2012 (Governor Room)
       Brian Rider, Pennsylvania Retailers Association
       Todd Brysiak, Executive Director, PA House Majority Policy Committee
       John Raymond, PA Senate Appropriations Committee
       Luc Miron, Chief of Staff, PA Senator John Blake

Human Services Development Fund Block Grant (Brady Room)
       Brinda Carroll Penyak, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
       George Kimes, Pennsylvania Community Providers Association
       Mark Murphy, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

3:00
Closing