FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Mike Sturla D-Lancaster Chairman, Democratic Policy Committee www.pahouse.com/sturla

MEDIA ADVISORY

Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing

on changes to welfare programs Thursday in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster,

announced today that the committee will hold a public hearing to examine implemented and proposed changes to programs administered by the state Department of Public Welfare from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday in Room 418 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg.

Sturla said Republicans gave DPW Secretary Gary Alexander unprecedented power last year to make changes in programs managed by his department in order to reduce expenses, without oversight from the legislature. The hearing will also discuss changes proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett during his state budget address Tuesday.

The current hearing agenda is:

• 10 a.m. – Welcome and opening remarks
• 10:10 a.m. – Panel from SEIU Local 668:

Ø Kathy Jellison, president

Ø Eugene Quaglia, chairman, CAO Rank and File Committee

Ø Joel Levin, chairman, CAO Supervisors Statewide Work Committee

• 10:40 a.m. – Kelly Andrisano, J.D., executive director, Pennsylvania Association of County Human Services Administrators
• 11 a.m. – Jenna Mehnert, MSW, ACSW, executive director, NASW-PA
• 11:20 a.m. – Linda Anthony, policy director, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
• 11:40 a.m. – Rev. Sandra Strauss, director of Public Advocacy, Pennsylvania Council of Churches
• Noon – Closing remarks

The hearing is open to the public and media coverage is invited.

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