Butler County News

State Representative Marci Mustello of Butler County has been actively engaged in state budget hearings in Harrisburg, addressing issues related to local employment and potential budgetary fraud. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Mustello is responsible for reviewing budget proposals before they are presented to the full House of Representatives.

During these hearings, Mustello met with various agency heads, college presidents, and Supreme Court Justices to discuss Governor Josh Shapiro's $48.33 billion budget proposal. "When you look at Gov. Shapiro’s overall budget proposal, $48.33 billion is an eye-popping total for expenditures," Mustello stated. She emphasized the importance of scrutinizing how state funds are allocated to ensure tax money is used effectively.

Mustello expressed concern over business closures in her district due to factors such as pandemic-related shutdowns and regulatory challenges. She highlighted a significant issue involving a major steel manufacturer facing closure due to proposed environmental regulations from the U.S. Department of Energy, stating that these regulations "don’t even make environmental sense from either a life-cycle analysis or in terms of usage in real-world applications."

In Thursday’s hearing, Mustello questioned the Department of Environmental Protection about their role in protecting Pennsylvania's employers and invited the DEP secretary to visit the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant facing potential closure due to federal regulations. "I’m always going to fight for jobs and against overregulation; I hope the Shapiro Administration will join me," she added.

Additionally, Mustello raised concerns with the Department of Labor and Industry regarding improper Unemployment Compensation payments made during the pandemic. "Last year, I was shocked to learn Pennsylvania is estimated to have made $1.8 billion in improper Unemployment Compensation payments," she remarked, noting dissatisfaction with their response on recovery efforts.

Mustello plans to collaborate with colleagues on recovering improper payments and developing strategies for job retention and growth while aiming for an affordable state budget delivered on time.