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For Immediate
Release
8/30/11
Independent Fiscal Office's First Director Named
HARRISBURG – Matthew J. Knittel, a senior financial
economist with the U.S. Department of Treasury, has been selected to serve as
the first director of Pennsylvania's new Independent Fiscal Office, legislative
leaders announced today.
"The Independent Fiscal Office will be a great tool to help lawmakers craft
policy," said Knittel. "Much like the Congressional Budget Office in Washington,
D.C., the IFO will provide revenue and expenditure projections to help lawmakers
make informed decisions and target limited resources to their best use. The
office will also undertake special studies and report its findings and
recommendations to the legislature and the public."
Knittel, 43, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University, where
he also earned an M.A. in Economics. He earned two bachelor's degrees, in
economics and business administration, from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
Knittel's first day on the job is expected to be Monday, Sept. 19.
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), created by Act 120 of 2010, has several
specific responsibilities, including:
- Preparing annual revenue estimates;
- Providing an annual assessment, by November 15 of each year, of the
state's fiscal condition;
- Developing performance measures for executive-level programs and
departments;
- Providing an analysis of all tax and revenue proposals made by the
Governor or the Office of the Budget;
- Studying and analyzing the existing sales and use tax law and
making recommendations for change; and
- Establishing a website for the agency.
Knittel said he plans to use the IFO's website to provide visitors with a
wide range of data, analysis and commentary relating to state, local, regional
and even national economic trends. His goal is for the IFO to become a useful
and dependable resource for both the legislature and the public.
Knittel, who applied for the job after seeing it advertised on the website of
the National Association of State Budget Officers, was chosen by the Independent
Fiscal Office Selection and Organization Committee established in Act 120.
Members of the Selection and Organization Committee include Senate President
Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-66), Senate
Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa
(D-43), House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-28), House Democratic Leader Frank
Dermody (D-33), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-34),
Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee Chairman Vince Hughes (D-7), House
Appropriations Committee Chairman William F. Adolph Jr. (R-165), and House
Democratic Appropriations Committee Chairman Joseph F. Markosek (D-25).
Pursuant to the provisions of Act 120, Knittel was appointed to a six-year
term. The IFO was appropriated $1.9 million in the 2011-12 state budget. A total
of 19 individuals applied for the position of director.
Contact:
Erik Arneson
(717) 787-4712
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