Public safety is a core function of state government. However, the Republican Senate majority has passed a budget that would cut $8 million in state funding from the Pennsylvania State Police. The state police provide full- or part-time services in about 1,720 municipalities -- roughly two-thirds of all communities -- covering about 25 percent of the state's population. Because the national recession that began last year is impacting local tax revenues, more townships and boroughs are dropping or cutting back on police coverage and relying on the state police. In February, State Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski warned that the increasing demand for services could result in a manpower shortage: "We are moving resources around to address the demand. But the bottom line is, if this keeps going like it has been going, it's going to start to hurt." Even if your community has its own police force, the Senate Republicans' proposed cuts to the state police could affect you. The state police are responsible for patrolling two-thirds of the Commonwealth's highways. Also, the Senate budget would cut vital funding for state police law enforcement information technology, which supports the Pennsylvania Instant Gun Check System, Megan's Law, the entire criminal history system, and other key public safety applications. Incredibly, Senate Republicans have resisted using any of the Rainy Day Fund, a $750 million reserve created precisely to avoid excessive cuts during recessions. I oppose the Senate's proposed cuts to the state police because they would risk public safety.
