In the near future, I will reintroduce legislation (HB 1332 of 2023-24 Session) which will require a fiscal note to be provided for all public debt questions put to the voters via ballot referendum.

The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that questions be submitted to the voters for approval before two things may occur:
1.            The incurring of public debt
2.            An amendment to the state Constitution
 
Since 1958, there have been more than 20 borrowing referendum questions placed on the ballot. However, little to no financial impact information was provided to the public to allow them to make a fully informed decision in regard to what the borrowed money would be used for and what the financial impact on the Commonwealth and the taxpayers would be.

When the Commonwealth proposes to incur public debt through a bond or borrowing measure, the financial repercussions of such a measure should be clearly provided to the voters. My legislation will amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to require all state-wide and local-level ballot referendum questions involving a bond or borrowing measure to have a fiscal note included within the question, outlining specific information as it relates to the request.

The information for the fiscal note will be developed by the Office of the Budget for state-wide questions. For local-level questions, the local government unit that petitions for the ballot question will develop the fiscal note.

This bill was reported out of the House State Government Committee unanimously but did not receive further consideration before the end of last session.

Co-sponsors from last session include B. MILLER, KEEFER, JAMES, HAMM, STAMBAUGH, IRVIN, ROWE, ZIMMERMAN, GILLEN, LEADBETER, KEPHART and BARTON.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to require a fiscal note on all public debt ballot questions so taxpayers can be fully informed when making a decision.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0950: P.L.1333, No.320