Dec. 26 PA Environment Digest now available. Click Here to print this Digest.
Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year From Crisci Associates!
Tony, John, Ron, Lauren, Donna and Dave want to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
House Unanimously Nonconcurs In Marcellus Shale Legislation Sending Bill To Conference
House Republicans and House Democrats combined Tuesday, for different reasons, to vote unanimously to nonconcur in Senate changes to House Bill 1950 (Ellis-R-Butler) which would amend the Oil and Gas Act to include additional environmental protection measures relating to Marcellus Shale drilling and a statewide drilling fee.
End Of Fiscal Year Deficit Of $500 Million Expected, More Spending Cuts Coming
Budget Secretary Charles Zogby Tuesday said during his mid-year budget briefing the Corbett Administration expects an end of fiscal year deficit of $500 million. As a result, Secretary Zogby said his office is preparing a list of current year spending cuts the Governor will consider before the end of the year.
Secretary Zogby said the bottom line is the Governor is likely to need about $750 million to bring the FY 2012-13 budget into balance. He said the Governor is not going to make up this shortfall with tax increases.
State agencies have already been asked to submit a budget assuming a further 5 percent reduction in spending, with no exemptions, but Secretary Zogby said no decisions have been made on any line items.
Corbett Signs Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Bill Into Law
Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday signed into law House Bill 344 (Baker-R-Tioga) establishing regulatory oversight of natural gas pipelines in the Commonwealth to the Public Utility Commission.
House Votes To Approve Largest Bond Issue In State's History
The House Monday took final action on two bills which would authorize $6.2 billion in new state bonds be issued, the largest bond issue ever for the Commonwealth.
Why isn't there a similar commitment to passing a reasonable Marcellus Shale drilling fee and funding billions of dollars of much needed green infrastructure repair and upgrades?
