COMMITTEE BACKGROUND

            The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency consisting of 12 members of the General Assembly.  As set forth in the LBFC's enabling legislation, Act 195 of 1959, as amended, 46 P.S. §§70.1-70.6, the Committee is to conduct studies and make recommendations aimed at eliminating unnecessary expenditures; promoting economy in the government of the Commonwealth; and assuring that state funds are being expended in accordance with legislative intent and law.  To carry out these mandates, the LBFC is authorized to conduct a wide range of research activities pertaining to the operation and performance of state-funded programs and agencies.

            By law, the Committee membership is comprised of six Senators and six Representatives, evenly divided between the majority and minority parties in each chamber.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Majority and Minority Leaders of each House, or their designees, serve as members of the Committee.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint three additional members of their respective chambers, at least two of whom are to be from the minority party.  The Committee elects its own Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

            The Committee appoints an Executive Director who is responsible for the direction of the Committee's staff and activities.  A Project Manager, who reports directly to the Executive Director, generally manages projects.  The Project Manager, in turn, leads teams of Analyst staff.  The LBFC’s staff includes persons with graduate degrees in public administration, business administration, law, and journalism.   The staff's experience covers a wide range of topics, including among others: health and welfare, transportation, economic development and law enforcement.