Senator Browne to Chair Senate Finance Committee

Panel charged with reviewing tax code legislation

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati recently selected Senator Pat Browne to serve as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel with the primary role of reviewing legislation affecting Pennsylvania's tax codes.

"Pat Browne, with his knowledge of tax laws and accounting practices, was an obvious choice to serve as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee," Senator Scarnati said. "He has worked with Pennsylvania's tax codes. He knows what is effective and what is not. His experience in tax issues is an asset that will benefit the Senate and the people we serve."

Senator Browne's appointment is particularly noteworthy in that he has only served in the Senate for 1 1/2 –years and he was chosen from among a field of members who have longer terms of service. He served on the committee as a member during the 2005-06 Legislative Session.

Senator Browne holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Temple University.  Prior to his legislative service, he was employed with the accounting firms of Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse as a tax manager and senior tax associate, respectively. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

"I appreciate the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee," Senator Browne said. "We consider a number of tax bills each session and I look forward to the opportunity to work with the members of the committee to review these pieces of legislation to ensure that they are in the best interest of the Commonwealth and the people of Pennsylvania."

Senator Browne said that he has targeted three particular areas as his legislative priorities as Finance Chairman.

"We need to look for ways to make Pennsylvania more competitive," he said. "We also must find ways to promote business opportunities that lead to job creation and we must look at new and innovative ways to raise revenue, especially within existing state departments."

Senator Browne has championed economic growth and job creation through tax reform with legislation he has sponsored including the Pennsylvania Job Creation Act of 2006 -- which included important tax cuts/changes to make Pennsylvania's climate for job creators more competitive -- and the Small Business Jobs Investment Act -- which made changes to the tax reform code to allow for greater access to private capital by small business corporations and eliminated Pennsylvania's infamous capital stock tax from single owner Limited Liability Companies and Professional Service Corporations.

He also worked with tax professionals and the Rendell Administration to write the Tax Uniform Procedures Act, which was the first major reform of the appeals and audit section of the Tax Reform Code in 30 years and creates a tax system that is fairer and easier to comply with for both individuals and businesses.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468