On April 21, the PA Land Trust Association urged citizens across Pennsylvania to oppose efforts by House Republicans to freeze spending from conservation funds that support local parks, nature preserves, trails and open spaces just at the time these investments are needed more than ever.
The amendment was added to House Bill 1822 by House Republicans Monday, with all Democrats opposing. Read more here. UPDATE: Republicans may try to amend another bill with the same language going to the Governor -- Senate Bill 327.
"It is insanity to prohibit new state expenditures on conservation. Covid-19 has demonstrated that these investments are needed more than ever.
"People are overwhelming the capacity of our underfunded parks, nature preserves, trails, and open spaces across Pennsylvania.
"We need continuing and enhanced investments to improve and expand this green infrastructure. We sure shouldn't be cutting these investments.
"People also need clean air and water more than ever to keep us healthy and strong when faced with viral threats like the coronavirus. It is absurdity to prevent investments in cleaning up our rivers, lakes, and streams--in protecting our drinking water--now or at any time.
"As conversations begin regarding infrastructure investments to stimulate the battered economy, it is crazy to attack Pennsylvania's incredibly productive investments in environmental infrastructure that time and again prove their environmental and economic benefits to Pennsylvanians.
"[The amendment]was introduced by the chairman of House Appropriations Committee, Representative Stan Saylor (R-York).
"The amendment is transparently hostile to environmental concerns. It would apply to only 16 of the state's special funds (of which there are far more than 100), eight of which are major vehicles for making state investments in protecting and restoring our environment.
"State investments in conserving our environment are under attack. The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund are among 8 state environmentally-focused special funds targeted.
"State agencies would be forbidden to enter into contracts to make environmental investments using money in these special funds until the Governor ends the COVID-19 disaster emergency.
"Please contact your state representatives, most importantly Republican state representatives (who are in the majority), and tell them you oppose the amendment to House Bill 1822."
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Land Trust Association website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from PLTA, Like them on Facebook, and Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to support their work.
Save the Date: PA Land Conservation Conference March 24-26 in Gettysburg.
$172 Million Just Sitting There
Of course, the Senate and House are still sitting on a $172 million surplus in their own operating accounts, but they don’t seem to want to repurpose the money to help real people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.
Sacrifice is good… for other people in their view, apparently.
Click Here to read more about "legislative privilege" and hiding how the General Assembly spends taxpayer money.
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