HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Legislative Audit Advisory Commission (LAAC) has concluded its independent audit of the state General Assembly’s finances for fiscal year 2023. State Rep. Pat Harkins, majority chairman of the bipartisan commission, announced that the audit revealed a reserve of $298.6 million as of June 30, 2023.
The LAAC, led by Harkins, D-Erie, is responsible for ensuring transparency in the budgeting and financial operations of the state legislature. The commission’s role is vital to maintaining public trust in government operations.
“The transparency of the General Assembly’s budgets and finances is a cornerstone of good governance,” Harkins said. “As majority chairman, I’m committed to keeping the public fully informed about the financial affairs of the Pennsylvania House and Senate.”
The audit was conducted by Boyer & Ritter LLC, an independent certified public accounting firm. Their examination of the General Assembly’s finances is a constitutional requirement under Article VIII, Section 10 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Harkins also expressed his gratitude to his fellow commission members for their dedication to transparency and efficient government operations. He specifically thanked state Rep. George Dunbar, R-Westmoreland, and commission public member Gregory Jordan for their contributions.
“Working with Representative Dunbar has allowed us to focus on delivering this constitutionally mandated report seamlessly,” Harkins said. “I also deeply appreciate Gregory Jordan’s commitment to public service, demonstrated by his countless hours volunteered on the commission over the years.”
The LAAC is comprised of state legislators and public members appointed by the Pennsylvania House and Senate. In addition to Harkins and Dunbar, commission members include state Sens. Maria Collett, D-Bucks/Montgomery, and Chris Gebhard, R-Berks/Lancaster/Lebanon; public members Peter Barsz and Phil Rudy, appointed by the PA House; and public members Ira Weiss and the recently resigned Gregory Jordan, appointed by the PA Senate.
The full audit, along with prior audits and additional information about the commission, is available on the LAAC’s website.
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