Mar. 01, 2024
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) vigorously fought for the people and businesses of Butler County this week in Harrisburg while participating in the second week of state budget hearings. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Mustello has the added responsibility of reviewing all budget proposals before they are brought up for consideration before the full House of Representatives.
During the past week, Mustello participated in hearings with seven agency heads, six college and university presidents, and two Supreme Court Justices on the specific details of Gov. Josh Shapiro's $48.33 billion budget proposal.
“When you look at Gov. Shapiro’s overall budget proposal, $48.33 billion is an eye-popping total for expenditures,” Mustello said. “This is why it is so important we take the time to break down the numbers and ask pertinent questions of every entity receiving state funding, including state agencies, institutions of higher education and the court system, to clarify and evaluate their requests for funding. We need to assure tax money is used wisely and build a better future for Pennsylvania.”
Mustello, born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, has seen too many businesses close their doors over the past decades. “From small businesses recently killed by the pandemic, shutdowns and supply issues to larger business that face the growing headwinds of regulation and foreign competition, each business closure adds to the instability of people and families throughout a region.
“At this moment, my district has a serious concern with losing a major steel manufacturer and more than 1,000 jobs due to proposed environmental regulations from the U.S. Department of Energy. What is most disturbing is that these ‘regs’ don’t even make environmental sense from either a life-cycle analysis or in terms of usage in real-world applications.”
At Thursday’s hearing, Mustello questioned the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on its role in protecting Pennsylvania’s employers, including what they can do to help keep the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works open.
Click to watch Mustello question the Department of Environmental Protection on the Butler Works Plant.
“This is why I invited the DEP secretary to visit the plant to help keep it open in face of job-killing Biden Administration regulations, which may shut the plant down. I’m always going to fight for jobs and against overregulation; I hope the Shapiro Administration will join me,” added Mustello.
Mustello also asked the Department of Labor and Industry for an update on improper payments made during the pandemic.
Click to watch Mustello question the Department of Labor and Industry on UC improper payments.
“Last year, I was shocked to learn Pennsylvania is estimated to have made $1.8 billion in improper Unemployment Compensation payments,” Mustello added. “I am now even more concerned. When I asked for follow-up on what has been done to recover this money, the Department of Labor and Industry had sudden amnesia.
“In the coming weeks I will be working with my colleagues to address recovering improper payments, finding ways to keep and grow jobs in Pennsylvania, and deliver an on-time affordable budget.”
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) delved into Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget and discussed different topics with many state departments. Mustello is charged with asking the tough questions to represent the interests of Butler County’s citizens and businesses.
Representative Marci Mustello
11th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
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