Rep. Reed: Budget Deal Cuts Out Communities, Conservation Districts

Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) is concerned about the lack of details surrounding a state budget agreement among legislative leaders and Gov. Ed Rendell that includes the local lawmaker's plan to expand natural gas harvesting on state forest lands.
In March, Rep. Reed unveiled the "Energize PA" plan to expand natural gas harvesting on additional acres of state forest land in upcoming years. Reed's original proposal would have divided the revenues among the state, local governments and conservation districts.
Rep. Reed said he's now hearing rumors that Rendell and legislative leaders involved in the budget negotiations may try to take all the revenues for the state, cutting local governments and conservation districts out of the loop.
"I fear the governor and other budget negotiators see dollar signs and they're willing to push others out of the picture to get their hands on all of the money," Rep. Reed said. "I certainly hope that's not the case, but this is Harrisburg we are talking about."
Rep. Reed developed the proposal to share the proceeds with local communities and conservation districts in an effort to offset any increased costs that may accompany expanded natural gas harvesting on state forest lands.
"Our proposal may not be perfect, but I firmly believe that some money should go to local communities and conservation districts," Rep. Reed said. "I just hope that the budget negotiators don't cut them out of this. That could potentially be a deal breaker."
Rep. Reed is also concerned about a proposal to tap a special account that is used to protect state forests and parks. The Commonwealth currently sets aside revenues generated through the lease of state forest lands for energy harvesting into the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. Money from this fund has been used to purchase land for state parks and forests and maintain those assets.
Budget negotiators are currently proposing to take $143 million from the fund this year and an additional $125 million next year to balance the state budget.
"We should make sure the budget does not deplete this important fund," Rep. Reed said. "When all of the smoke clears and the budget details are made public, we should ensure that this fund maintains a similar level of support compared to what it has had in the past."