Commission on Sentencing reports $500,000 appropriation increase, cautions on reserves and staffing
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Summary
Executive staff told commissioners the commission’s appropriation rose from $2,553,000 to $3,053,000; staff cautioned reserves were drawn down to $308,000 and hiring would proceed cautiously while rebuilding reserves.
At its quarterly meeting the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing’s executive director reported a $500,000 increase in the commission’s annual appropriation, a change he said follows concerted outreach to legislators.
"We went from 2,553,000 to $3,053,000. So a $500,000 increase in our appropriation," Matt, the executive director, told members while reviewing the commission’s fiscal position. He said the appropriation increase followed a period of budgetary impasse that forced staff to tighten expenses and consider furloughs.
Matt said Penn State University paused invoicing during the impasse, allowing the commission to pay four months of salaries (roughly $800,000) this week without furloughing staff. He reported the commission’s operating budget projection for the upcoming cycle at $3,800,000, noted 22 FTEs on the organizational chart versus 18 filled positions, and said the reserve balance stands at about $308,000 after recent drawdowns.
Staff emphasized cautious hiring: "We have 4 vacancies that are still open ... doing this with fiscal caution to make sure we continue to have reserves," Matt said. The commission also identified $500,000 in remaining JRI 2 funds earmarked for replacement software for its case reporting system.
Commission members thanked legislative supporters and staff for work during the impasse. Staff said they will craft the next formal budget request for submission in January and work with the chair and vice chair on priorities and timing for filling vacancies.
The commission approved the operating budget request by voice affirmation during the meeting; the transcript records the motion and second but does not provide a roll‑call vote tally.
