HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law legislation that requires one of the three members of Pennsylvania’s Civil Service Commission to be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
“For many years now, it has been state policy that those who have served in our Armed Forces should be given special consideration for civil service jobs,” Corbett said.
“The reason for this was simple: the men and women who wore the uniform of our nation, who volunteered to be in harm’s way in times of crisis, had shown our nation special consideration. It only seemed right to return the honor.”
He continued, “The problem is that good ideas mean nothing if we don’t act on them. It is not enough to give our word – we have to keep it.”
By having a veteran serve on the Civil Service Commission, Corbett said, it will ensure that the men and women who served in the military will have an advocate who understands their needs and will represent their rights.
Corbett also announced the nomination of John Stevens, of State College, Centre County, to serve on the commission. Stevens, a veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the U.S. Army, retired with the rank of major general.
Corbett thanked state Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) for his leadership on this bill, known as House Bill 378, and a number of important bills this session. The bill recently received near unanimous approval in the General Assembly.
The Civil Service Commission’s three full-time members serve staggered, six-year terms. Selected by the governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, members earn an annual salary of $78,217 and the chairman receives $81,347. The other two members are James W. Martin, appointed in 2008, and Odelfa Smith Preston, appointed in 2009.
Commission members review, approve or disapprove policy recommendations at monthly meetings, as well as monitor all state and local agencies to determine and assure compliance. In addition, members act as administrative law judges, presiding over appeal hearings, settling disputed personnel decisions and conducting hearings to determine if there has been a violation or fraud.
