Fisher v. Commonwealth, Department of Public Welfare

OPINION

PAPADAKOS, Justice.

Given the substantial public importance of the question ¡involved in these consolidated appeals, and the scant and evenly divided authority existing thereon, we have deemed it appropriate to grant discretionary review. In this case of first impression, we are concerned, primarily, with a matter of statutory construction in which the intent of the Legislature is controlling. After evidence was presented before a hearing officer, all Appellees were granted general assistance benefits as transitionally needy persons.1 This decision was upheld by the Department of Public…