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Lawmaker Wants Better Oversight of Provider's Budgets

Language to shine a light on executive pay at nonprofits that contract with the state is now in the mix of budget-related legislation. State Representative Scott Petri (R-Bucks County) said after past state budget cuts to the Department of Public Welfare, and with more cuts looming, lawmakers were getting an earful from groups that contract with the DPW.

"Nonprofits performing services in communities would say, 'Well, you know, we had to lay off people. We had to take someone who was full time to part time.' And really blaming the legislature. 'The legislature costs too much money. You don't get it. You cost too much money. The governor's horrible.' You know, blah, blah, blah," said Petri.

Petri is skeptical that those same service providers have trimmed the fat in their own organizations.

Now a provision in a budget-related bill would require such nonprofits to report to the state what they pay their top executives, among other expenses.

A spokeswoman for a statewide nonprofit association of service providers said the information lawmakers are going after is already available in tax forms and audits to federal, state, and local government.