Governor's Office Releases Letter Detailing Senate Bill 850 Impact on State Police...

Governor's Office Releases Letter Detailing Senate Bill 850 Impact on State
Police Operations

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell's office today released the following letter from Pennsylvania State
Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski to Senate Law and Justice Committee
chairman Sen. John Rafferty explaining the impact of Senate Bill 850 to the
state police operations and complement:

Dear Senator Rafferty:

I wanted to take this opportunity to apologize for not being able to attend
today's hearing regarding the Pennsylvania State Police Budget. Given how
quickly the meeting was called and a prior commitment on my part, it was
impossible for me to attend. However, I understand that Lieutenant Colonel
Kurtz did an admirable job in my absence.

After speaking to my staff following the hearing, I wanted to clarify some
points that were discussed this morning. First, the statistics that we have
cited came from my staff. They are accurate and I stand by them.

Let me be clear that Senate Bill 850 would result in the layoffs and
programmatic cuts that we have discussed. These cuts could result in as many
as 800 troopers being laid off. Or, if fewer layoffs occur, important
technology projects that keep our officers and communities safer would be
curtailed or otherwise negatively impacted. Either way, the result is the
same: our public safety would be at risk.

To replace General Fund appropriations with augmented contributions from the
Motor License Fund, as some have suggested, would fundamentally transform the
Pennsylvania State Police from a law enforcement agency to a highway patrol
entity. As you know, Motor License Funds can only be used for highway related
functions, not for patrolling and protecting our towns and neighborhoods. As
such, the cuts in SB 850 would be especially devastating to our more than
1,700 communities that rely on the PSP for police services. Any cuts would
also hurt my ability to provide troopers to distressed cities or other
communities that need our immediate assistance to address increases in crime,
such as is being done now in the City of Harrisburg.

Senator, you have always been a strong advocate for the Pennsylvania State
Police and I have every expectation that you will continue to advocate for us
during the difficult budget negotiations. However, I want to assure you that
the impact of SB 850 would be devastating.

I am always available should you like to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

Col. Frank Pawlowski
Commissioner
Pennsylvania State Police

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit
his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania Governor's Office, +1-717-783-1116