HARRISBURG, PA – October 9, 2024 − Today, four members of the Senate Democratic Caucus filed a lawsuit in the Commonwealth Court against President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Senator Joe Pittman, and Senator Jarret Coleman to stop a subpoena requiring Secretary of the Treasury Pat Browne to turn over sensitive taxpayer information. Yesterday, Senate resolution No. 334 was adopted 28-22 ordering the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring Pat Browne before the Senate.
Senators Jay Costa, Vincent Hughes, Tina Tartaglione and Nikil Saval have joined forces to bring a lawsuit in the Commonwealth Court challenging the subpoena issued by the Intergovernmental Commission on Operations, noting that the senators were asked to take an illegal vote that forced the Secretary of the Internal Revenue Service for violating the taxpayer’s private records; ask the Court to order compliance with the summons; and ask the court to quickly hear the case.
“We have been clear from the beginning that Senate Resolution No. 334 is improper and should not be enforced.” said Senator Costa. “The resolution cannot and should not override the rule of law, in particular Act No. 24 of 2021. Secretary Browne respects the law as it stands. The lawsuits brought by me and my colleagues support Pat Browne in upholding the rule of law.”
Video footage of Senator Costa’s remarks during the floor debate on SR 334 is available here.
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