House Appropriations Committee advances FY27 budget, authorizes new and converted positions

The House Appropriations Committee met March 20 to review a line-by-line "position" spreadsheet and base budget changes for fiscal year 2027 and moved in a straw poll to approve the draft budget as presented.

Committee staff walked members through positions the committee added above the governor's recommendation and positions included in the governor's recommended budget. Among the items flagged as newly authorized above the governor's recommend were positions in the tax department (a business analyst tied to Act 73 work) and an additional staff attorney/investigator position for the Human Rights Commission. Staff said the treasurer's unclaimed property program technician position would be funded through unclaimed property and carry no general-fund impact, and a VPIC financial director 3 was proposed to accommodate the transfer of OPED responsibilities tied to…