PA Municipal Authorities Assn, 19 Waste Authorities Oppose Proposed Freeze On Recycling Funding

On April 28, the PA Municipal Authorities Association and 19 member local waste authorities wrote to lawmakers urging them to oppose a freeze on funding from the Recycling Fund for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.

The letter refers to legislation-- House Bill 1822-- passed by Republicans in the House last week freezing new grant commitments from the Conservation District Fund, Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund, Recycling Fund and more.  The bill is now in the Senate for consideration.  Read more here.

The letter said in part-- “The Recycling Fund is critical to the management of transforming millions of tons of recyclables each year for our communities.

“Freezing this funding until the Governor’s COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration ends would significantly impact solid waste authorities’ ability to achieve their missions thus crippling these essential services that protect and enhance our environment, stimulate economic vitality and promote the general welfare of Pennsylvania residents. 

“This impact would be particularly devastating to smaller communities struggling to keep their programs afloat during this pandemic.”

The PA Municipal Authorities Association joins other groups like the PA Association of Conservation Districts, Lancaster Clean Water Partners, PA State Grange, 11 major fishing and hunting groups, PA Land Trust Association, PA Recreation & Park Society, PA Parks & Forests Foundation, the PA Environmental Council,  PA Municipal Authorities Association and many others opposing a freeze on local conservation district, farm and environmental project funding.

The text of the letter follows--

I am writing on behalf of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) which represents over 700 municipal authorities across the Commonwealth, including those which provide recycling services to hundreds of thousands of its citizens.

PMAA opposes the Recycling Fund freeze under HB 1822 P.N. 3595. The Recycling Fund is critical to the management of transforming millions of tons of recyclables each year for our communities.

Freezing this funding until the Governor’s COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration ends would significantly impact solid waste authorities’ ability to achieve their missions thus crippling these essential services that protect and enhance our environment, stimulate economic vitality and promote the general welfare of Pennsylvania residents. 

This impact would be particularly devastating to smaller communities struggling to keep their programs afloat during this pandemic.

On behalf of our members listed below, PMAA respectfully asks that you keep this dedicated funding source operational during this critical time.

Cambria County Solid Waste Authority

Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority

Chester County Solid Waste Authority 

Clearfield County Solid Waste Authority

Clinton County Solid Waste Authority

Crawford County Solid Waste Authority

Cumberland County Recycling and Waste Authority 

Delaware County Solid Waste Authority 

Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority

Indiana County Solid Waste Authority

Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority

Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority

Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority

Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority

Potter County Solid Waste Authority

Snyder County Solid Waste Authority

Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority

Municipal Authority of the City of Sunbury

York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority

Thank you for your consideration.

Click Here for a copy of the letter.

[Editor’s Note: $172 Million Just Sitting There: The Senate and House are still sitting on a $172 million surplus in their own operating accounts, but they don’t seem ready to repurpose the money to help taxpayers and real people during 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.]

Related Article - Budget:

Analysis: Where Did The $2.93 Billion In Environmental Funding The General Assembly Diverted Or Cut Go?

Analysis: 2020 Is A Make Or Break Year For Environmental Funding
Related Articles:

-- House Republicans Pass Bill To Freeze Funding For County Conservation Districts, Local Parks, Farm Conservation, Watershed Restoration Projects; Will Hurt Local Economies 

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners: Proposed Environmental Funding Freeze Would Be ‘Devastating’ To Lancaster’s Economy, Clean Water Efforts

-- PA Conservation District Assn.: House Republican Effort To Freeze Funding For County Conservation Districts Will Shut Them Down, Hurt Local Economies

-- May 3-9 County Conservation Districts Week Overshadowed By Lawmaker Efforts To Freeze, Shutdown Conservation District Funds

-- PA State Grange Farm Organization Opposes Proposed Freeze On Conservation District, Local Farm, Restoration Project Funding

-- 11 PA Fishing, Hunting Groups Urge Lawmakers To Oppose Freeze On Local Farm Conservation, Environmental Restoration Project Funding

-- PA Land Trust Assn. Says House Republican Effort To Prohibit State Expenditures On Conservation Districts, Local Conservation Projects 'Insanity' 

-- PA Recreation & Park Society Opposes Republican Efforts To Freeze Funding For Local Park, Recreation, Conservation Projects

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Urges Lawmakers To Oppose Freeze On Recreation, Conservation Funding Addressing Imminent Health Threats, Help Economy Recover 

-- PA Environmental Council: Almost All Funds Targeted By Republican Freeze Support Local Environmental, Conservation Efforts 

-- Op-Ed: State Government Is Ignoring Pennsylvania’s Constitutional Right To A Clean Environment For Generations Yet To Come - Ron Evans, PA Environmental Defense Foundation

-- Op-Ed: My Fellow Conservatives Are Out Of Touch On The Environment - Fmr. Gov. Tom Ridge

[Posted: April 29, 2020] PA Environment Digest