HARRISBURG – Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) has been appointed Chairman of the Senate State Government Committee for the remainder of the 2019-20 legislative session by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati.
The State Government Committee has broad oversight jurisdiction over the executive branch, including the Office of the Governor, Departments of State and General Services, as well as the Civil Service and State Ethics Commissions. The committee also oversees the administration of the Lobbying Disclosure Law and Office of Open Records.
As a private sector businessman turned citizen legislator, Senator DiSanto has made government reform a top priority in his first term in office. He has led by example by turning down the taxpayer-funded pension, refusing the automatic cost-of-living increase given to legislators, and supporting legislation to ban cash gifts and per diems for lawmakers. As Chairman of the State Government Committee, DiSanto will pursue opportunities to make government more efficient, accessible and transparent. Senator DiSanto himself employs the fewest staff of any state senator.
“It’s an honor to assume this new leadership role over a committee tasked with reforming government and holding it accountable to the people,” said DiSanto. “I look forward to building on the bipartisan successes from my time as Chairman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee as we address important issues including elections law, the drawing of district lines, ethics, and civil service modernization.”
DiSanto continued, “As the Senator representing the capital region with many state employees and private contractors as constituents, I will also work to ensure state government is acting as a fair employer and purchaser that makes decisions based on their merits. The citizens and taxpayers of Pennsylvania expect no less from their government institutions.”
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman 717-787-6801 cerdman@pasen.gov