The House of Representatives is now taking up HB 278, also known as the Fiscal Code. Its the bill that enables much of the spending for the state budget, and also serves as a vehicle for lots of shenanigans tucked away within its pages. I will be a NO vote on this bill. Here are just a few of the reasons: The main reason is HB 278 takes $150,000 away from environmental enforcement in DEP and gives it to a group called SAFER PA for independent natural gas research; this group is made up largely of gas industry executives and serves no discernible purpose whatsoever, especially considering the need for real environmental management. Its a total waste of taxpayer money. The bill also cuts funding for training of local police officers and takes money designated for the PA Horse Racing Development Fund. It also jams in language to differentiate conventional oil and gas wells from unconventional oil and gas wells, which translates into a lack of regulatory oversight by totally ignoring the legislative process. Finally, it robs the Oil and Gas Leasing Fund of $95 million from drilling in state forests and gamelands to fill the holes in Tom Corbetts budget. Pennsylvanians deserve better. I plan on voting NO.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 21:50:03 +0000
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