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Corbett Agenda: Enhancing The Department Of Agriculture
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As part of his campaign platform, Gov.-elect Tom Corbett laid out a series of commitments on protecting the environment, developing Pennsylvania's energy resources, enhancing agriculture and promoting sportsmen's issues. PA Environment Digest is taking a look at the commitments he made on enhancing the Department of Agriculture related to environmental issues-- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture provides a critical service to Pennsylvania’s farming community. As Governor, Tom Corbett will bring a new sense of priority to the activities and responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture. He will prioritize the functions of the department and make budgetary decisions that preserve and enhance the health and safety of the public, livestock, poultry and plants.
The Commonwealth clearly has been faced with budgetary challenges within all sectors of government. During the past eight years, the commonwealth budget has grown from $20.7 billion in 2001-2002 to $28 billion in the 2010-2011. At the same time, the general government operations budget appropriation for the Department of Agriculture has decreased from $31.5 million in 2001-2002 to $26.8 million in the 2010-2011. While
The state budget grew by nearly $8 billion dollars, the general fund appropriation for the Department of Agriculture decreased by $4.5 million. Agriculture has not been a budget
priority of the current administration.
Tom Corbett is committed to restoring fiscal discipline in state government and making state government more accountable to Pennsylvania taxpayers. With regard to agriculture, it is necessary to determine the core functions of the Department of Agriculture that must become a budgetary priority.
As Governor, Tom Corbett will work to:
-- Protect Pennsylvania’s environment. Tom Corbett is committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment through key strategies with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Support for the State Conservation Commission and Conservation Districts will be critical, and the ability to leverage state and federal dollars to accomplish on-farm best management practices that will improve the water quality in Pennsylvania will be a priority.
As regulations increase, more is being asked of county conservation districts in the form of program administration, data verification and technical expertise. Meeting our 2025 Chesapeake Bay goals will be a key area of focus as a funding priority.
-- Protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Pennsylvania farmers have worked diligently to improve the health of the bay and are committed to continuing those efforts to protect our environment and waterways. In fact, 55 percent of the reduction of detrimental elements in the Bay is due to practices employed by farmers.
Any restoration efforts must accommodate future population and economic growth without limiting Pennsylvania agriculture’s regional competitiveness or its ability to advance, prosper and expand.
As Governor, Tom Corbett will promote the work of Pennsylvania regulators and organizations that are creating a protocol best suited to Pennsylvania’s landscape, residents, industry and agriculture to meet Chesapeake Bay Watershed targets.
-- Preserve Pennsylvania’s farmlands for future generations. Farmland preservation is the strong legacy of Pennsylvania agriculture, and Tom Corbett will focus on ensuring that productive land is preserved from development and kept in viable production of crops and livestock.
-- Ensure funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protection program. As Governor, Tom Corbett will work toward restoring funding to continue the successful program known as REAP – Resource Enhancement and Protection program. This program provides tax credits for conservation and best management practices.
-- Enhance agricultural research opportunities. Agricultural research is important to the future of agriculture in Pennsylvania, and all consumers benefit from it. The important findings made possible through this research are not only necessary, but also ultimately a cost saving for the Commonwealth. Tom Corbett will work to identify funding to ensure the future success of agricultural research.
A full copy of Gov.-Elect Corbett's Agriculture Policy paper is available online.
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11/29/2010 |
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