Public can now see how powerful Joint Finance panel operates

Late in the year, usually between September and November, the state budget office receives budget requests from state agencies, holds public hearings and begins work on developing the governor’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The budget by law must be balanced at 98 percent of projected revenues, and is based in large part by periodic revenue projections made by the Delaware Financial and Economic Advisory Council.

After the governor presents the proposed budget to the General Assembly in January, the massive document goes to the Joint Finance Committee. The panel then schedules its own hearings for all departments, in public, and including public testimony.

As May moves into early June, the JFC, together with the controller general’s office and later with the budget office, begins "marking up" the proposed spending plan, again taking into account periodic DEFAC revenue projections. As those projections raise or lower, the JFC makes adjustments.

This year, as in previous years, the JFC met in closed "orientation" sessions prior to the new open-government law, emerging in public only to take individual line-item votes. While public scrutiny of the orientation sessions was prohibited, outsiders often assumed major decisions were made behind closed doors.

After budget mark-up, the panel typically drafts what is known as "epilogue language" into the proposed budget. Once complete, the entire package shifts upstairs for the full General Assembly to consider by July 1. The epilogue in the current year’s spending plan spans 181 pages.

"Epilogue language is kind of a road map to the expenditures section of the budget," Mr. Larson said. "That section really doesn’t say how the money will be spent. It’s also a bit of a restriction. The JFC will decide something but may not know the final game plan. It must be approved by the (budget office) and the controller general. Later there may be minor adjustments that don’t require a vote that we’ll take care of. Every once in a while, there’s a larger mistake that needs to be taken care of. I’ll get on the phone with each committee member to correct that."

Mr. Larson has been controller general since 1996, after serving as deputy controller for 11 years.

"I am the equivalent to the budget director who works for the governor," he said. "I report to the 12 members of the JFC, as well as all 62 members of the General Assembly. They rely on me; I rely on my staff. My job is to make recommendations and point out problems and solutions."

JFC vice-chair Sen. Nancy W. Cook, D-Kenton, has served almost continuously on the JFC since 1981, often as chair. "I’ve been co-chair with nine men," she says, smiling.

The current chair, Rep. Dennis P. Williams, D-Wilmington North, has been a panel member for nine years.

"What (the public) has observed since the open-government law went into effect is exactly what we do in orientation," she said.

"It’s primarily to get information from the staff. It’s different this year because the administration is playing a greater role than usual. First we had the budget from the Minner administration, but revenues have changed drastically since she drafted that budget."

Rep. Williams, a retired Wilmington police officer, reflected on the new law.

"I was pensive when this bill was passed," he said. "But I just keep on being who I am, just doing my job. You have to respect each committee member, give each one a chance to speak. But when it begins to get repetitive, it’s kind of like herding sheep — you’ve got to keep them all in order."

Rep. Melanie George Marshall, D-Bear/Newark, is a one of several new members on the JFC panel. She’s quick to speak up on issues large and small.

"I am really excited," she said. "You really get to see every nook and cranny of state government. It’s also helping me to learn what resources are available to my constituents. The staff is great. When we ask questions, they’re very good at getting back to us. There’s a lot of accountability here and I feel like I’m getting the answers I need."

Rep. Marshall said conforming to the open government law seems "natural."

"It seems like such an easy fit," she said. "I think it’s really a good thing for people to see (from the inside) why things are so bad right now with the economy. This is important; we’ve almost gotten to the place where we forget the press is even here."

Rep. Joseph W. Booth, R-Georgetown, is another JFC newcomer, having participated before and after the new law.

"I think it will take some getting used to," he said. "I think if anything it may help speed up the process. Last week, before the law went into effect, we went one time for hours without taking a vote!"

Sen. Bruce Ennis, D-Smyrna, is also new to the JFC.

"I think the open meeting law may temper some of the arguments," he said. "But I think it’s a good thing. It’s the public’s right to know."