This poster was unveiled this week to promote the Growing Greener Bond Issue question on the May 17 ballot.

Gov. Rendell, environmental groups and four former environmental agency Secretaries kicked off an effort to urge voters to approve the $625 million bond issue on the May 17 ballot.

The question would authorize additional state funding for Pennsylvania’s three largest environmental problems— acid mine drainage pollution, loss of farmland and open space and cleaning up rivers and streams.

The biggest hurdle facing the groups is just letting people know it’s on the ballot.

Spring elections, in particular when no statewide candidates are running, often have very low turnouts.

A Vote Yes to Keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener Committee has been formed to promote the bond issue, chaired by John C. Oliver, former Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary under Governors Ridge and Schweiker and former President of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

The Harrisburg press conference featured Gov. Rendell, former Ridge and Schweiker Administrations Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David Hess, Deb Callahan, president of the League of Conservation Voters; Andrew McElwaine, president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Kathleen McGinty, current secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection; Michael DiBerardinis, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and John Hanger, president and CEO of PennFuture; and Dr. Douglas Austen, Executive Director, Fish & Boat Commission.

Three other former environmental agency Secretaries also attended the event to show their support—Arthur A. Davis, who served under Gov. Casey, and Peter S. Duncan and Clifford L. Jones who served under Gov. Thornburgh.

A similar kick off press conference was held in Pittsburgh that featured the endorsement of the Vote Yes campaign from the field of candidates running for mayor of Pittsburgh, including Democrats Louis “Hop” Kendrick, Michael Lam, Les Ludwid, Bob O’Connor, Bill Peduto and Danel Repovz. Republican Joe Weinroth sent a message of strong support, but was unable to attend the news conference due to personal and business commitments.

The question on the ballot is short-- “Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by authorizing the Commonwealth to borrow up to $625,000,000 for the maintenance and protection of the environment, open space and farmland preservation, watershed protection, abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage remediation and other environmental initiatives?”

NewsClips: Montco Urges Voters to Back Open Space Loan

Locals Predict Voters Will Give Bond Green Light

Editorial: Growing Greener Sorely Needed, Should be Approved

Locals predict voters will give $625 million bond the ‘green'

Editorial | Growing Greener Bond

Session Schedule

The House and Senate return to voting session May 2.

Budget Clock Ticking

· 20 voting days are scheduled through the June 30 budget deadline in the House

· 20 voting days in the Senate

Contents – On the Hill

· On the Senate and House Agenda for Action

· Action This Week in Senate and House

· House/Senate Mark Watershed Awareness Month in May

Other News

· PA Recycles Record 4.4 Million Tons in 2003

· Steel Recycling Hits 25-year High in the United States

· Waste Group Tells Great PA Cleanup Volunteers - 'Bring Us 10,000 Tons of Trash!'

· PA Soft Drink Association Partner in Nine Great PA Cleanup Events

· TreeVitalize to Teach Citizens How to Plant and Care for Trees

· Funding OK’d for Redevelopment of Strip Mined Area

· 300,000 acres+ Preserved at Farmland Preservation Board Meeting

· TMDL Plan Set for Skippack Creek Watershed, Montgomery County

· Tulpehocken & Quittapahilla Watersheds Have Grants Available

· Kodak American Greenways Grants Program

· Special “Green Makes $ense” and “Earth Day 2005” Publications Still Available

· EPA Employees Reduce Their ‘Environmental Footprint,’ You Can Too!

· Workshops Teach How to Save Energy in Manufacturing, Industrial Settings

· Six of Top 25 Green Power Purchasers in U.S. Do Business in PA

· DEP Invites Green Technology, Service Companies on China Trade Mission

· Schools Awarded PPL Environmental Education Grants

· Columbia Gas Awards Local NiSource Environmental Challenge Grants

· Falcon Eggs Should Hatch Soon, New Bat Cam Available on Web

· Game Commission Offers Advice – Don’t Attract Bears

· Fish Commission Advises – Water Is Still Cold

Taking Positive Action

· Philadelphia Million Solar Roofs Partnership Recognized for Excellence

· Giant Eagle, King of Prussia Associates Win Recycling Awards

· PA Army National Guard Wins Award for Environmental Excellence

· Pfizer Inc. Recognized for Environmental Excellence

· Allegheny County Health Announces Enviro Star Award Winners

· Green Woods Charter School Wins EPA Award

· Students Receive Awards to Commemorate Earth Day 2005

Special Watershed Feature

· A Significant Milestone for the Lehigh River and Its Watershed, By Tom Kerr, President, Wildlands Conservancy

Calendar of Events – Check out all the new items!

· Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

4/22/2005