The state Senate adopted a resolution introduced by a Lehigh Valley legislator to compel Revenue Secretary Pat Browne to answer questions about Allentown’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone .
On Tuesday, the body voted 28-22 in favor of Senate Resolution 334 which was introduced by Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh. The sergeant-at-arms is directed to bring Browne to the chamber within three legislative days to provide testimony under oath to address the resolution.
Afterward, a second resolution to hold him in contempt could be introduced in the Senate. It would need a simple majority to pass. If Browne were convicted of contempt, he could be sent to Dauphin County Jail until he produces the requested documents .
Coleman said this provision would bring to light specific sources of revenue for the NIZ. Browne has insisted that he is prohibited from providing that information because of changes made to the Fiscal Code of 2021.
Browne introduced those changes when he was a state senator representing the Lehigh Valley. Those changes included adding “reports” on taxes to a section defining “confidential information.”