Lehigh Times

After questioning Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Secretary Pat Browne under oath, Senator Jarrett Coleman is considering further actions following revelations about the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority (ANIZDA). It was disclosed that ANIZDA has not completed audits of the Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) for over a decade, violating state law.

"I am disgusted to have learned today in testimony from Secretary Browne that ANIZDA has been violating state law for more than a decade," said Coleman. "In a zone that is shrouded in so much secrecy and has diverted more than $700 million from things like child care, education, transportation or senior services, these audits were a critical component of oversight that never happened. This new information reinforces and makes more urgent the need for further examination."

The testimony followed Browne's refusal to provide information for an audit authorized by a resolution introduced by Coleman and adopted by the Senate on December 13, 2023. Senate Resolution 110 called for the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit of the Allentown NIZ.

When Browne did not supply general tax revenue information collected through the Allentown NIZ, Coleman's Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee voted to subpoena him. Despite this, Browne withheld information until Coleman introduced Senate Resolution 334, compelling him to testify under oath before the Senate. This led to today's discovery regarding ANIZDA.

"As we continue to review today’s testimony, we will determine which next steps or referrals need to be made," stated Coleman.

Residents interested in learning more about Senator Coleman can visit his website at SenatorColeman.com or follow him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorJarrettColeman.