PA Environmental Council Opposes Bill To Reallocate Keystone Fund That Threatens Vitality Of PA’s Outdoor Economy

On May 4, the PA Environmental Council sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to oppose House Bill 2004 (Ortitay-R-Allegheny) reallocating the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund monies.

“HB 2004 threatens the vitality of our outdoor economy by creating greater uncertainty regarding availability of funds. 

“Outdoor recreation is one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries, supporting more than 250,000 jobs, more than $29 billion in consumer spending, and $1.9 billion in tax revenues. 

“Each public dollar of the Keystone Fund typically leverages $3.13 in private investment for our parks, trails, community green spaces, and libraries. 

“Now, more than ever, we are seeing the important role our outdoor spaces provide for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Physical, mental, and emotional health all benefit from access to the outdoors, which in turn reduces health care costs and improves the lives of Pennsylvania families.”

House Bill 2004 is scheduled to be considered by the House Environmental Committee on May 5.  Read more here.

The text of the letter follows--

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, I urge you to protect Pennsylvania’s dedicated funds for recreation and conservation by opposing House Bill 2004, which will be considered by the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee tomorrow. 

This legislation removes the automatic allocation of funds from the realty transfer tax to the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

In 1993, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the general public, in an overwhelming referendum vote, established the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. 

In establishing the Keystone Fund, the General Assembly sought to create a dedicated and permanent funding source for making investments in recreation, parks, conservation, libraries, historical preservation, and education. 

This fund has a 26 year legacy of success that has benefited all Pennsylvanians, sustained jobs, and leveraged private investment.

HB 2004 overturns this long-standing agreement with the citizens of the Commonwealth by removing automatic allocation of the funds. 

This despite the long-term track record of the program, the ever-increasing demand for funding, and the public’s unwavering support for ensuring that their public spaces are taken care of. Penn State polling has found that 97% of Pennsylvanians think that state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas, and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails; and preserving farmland should continue to be used for these purposes.

HB 2004 threatens the vitality of our outdoor economy by creating greater uncertainty regarding availability of funds. 

Outdoor recreation is one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries, supporting more than 250,000 jobs, more than $29 billion in consumer spending, and $1.9 billion in tax revenues. 

Each public dollar of the Keystone Fund typically leverages $3.13 in private investment for our parks, trails, community green spaces, and libraries. 

Now, more than ever, we are seeing the important role our outdoor spaces provide for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Physical, mental, and emotional health all benefit from access to the outdoors, which in turn reduces health care costs and improves the lives of Pennsylvania families.

PEC urges you to protect the Keystone Fund so that Pennsylvania can continue to be a leader in outdoor recreation and quality of life. Please oppose House Bill 2004.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Walliser

Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs

Pennsylvania Environmental Council

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

[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.

[3 Front War On The Environment

[House Bill 2004 is part of a sustained attack on the environment by Conservative Republicans who have been fighting a three front war on environmental programs and funding for the last decade--

-- Starving environmental agencies for funding so they have to cut staff and programs and then turn around and say they can’t do their job [they’ve successfully done that];

-- Adding even more layers of bureaucracy and procedures to block environmental regulations, reduce environmental standards and give regulated entities more control over these programs; and

-- Using every chance they get to cut funding to support community-based projects to protect and restore the environment, improve recreation opportunities and land conservation efforts that real people-- voters-- overwhelmingly support [they've successfully done that].

[So far the strategy is working.

[These are the latest attempts, but they won’t be the last.]

Related Article This Week:

PA Parks & Forests Foundation Opposes Effort To Reallocate Keystone Recreation Fund Monies At A Time Recreation Facilities Needed Most

Related Articles - Budget:

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

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

-- 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

-- 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

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

-- 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: May 4, 2020]  PA Environment Digest