Citing support from all over Pennsylvania, the co-chairs of the Vote YES for Growing Greener Committee said this week the campaign to win voter approval for programs to cleanup our rivers and streams and preserve working farms is gaining momentum with just a few more days to go before the May 17 election.

Making the comments were the bipartisan co-chairs of the Vote YES Committee, Harris Wofford, former Democratic U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania, and John Oliver, former Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under Republican Governors Ridge and Schweiker.

"Public officials from all over Pennsylvania are supporting Growing Greener-- Republicans, Democrats and Independents," said Wofford. "From all the candidates for mayor in Pittsburgh, to House and Senate members in places as diverse as Susquehanna and suburban Philadelphia counties, multi-partisan backing is building statewide."

"We've seen editorials in favor of the ballot question from papers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia," said Oliver. "But we also have support from the newspapers in Towanda, Chambersburg, Allentown and the Poconos and from over 30 environmental and citizen groups around the state."

If approved, the Growing Greener ballot question would provide funding for three of the most urgent environmental problems in Pennsylvania-- cleaning up pollution in rivers and streams, the loss of working farms and natural areas, and acid mine drainage that is killing streams.

"The Growing Greener ballot question strikes a cord with people," said Oliver. "People want to see our streams and rivers cleaned up so they can fish and swim, and supporting Growing Greener is a way each of us can contribute to that effort."

"People are also concerned about our disappearing farms and natural areas," added Wofford. "With funding for a major part of our farmland preservation ending July 1, this is the only chance we have to continue that program."

"We now have a week to go before the election, a short time for voters to understand the benefits of Growing Greener," said Wofford. "To give voters a place to go to get answers, we've opened a special website www.VoteGrowingGreener.org where it’s fast and easy to get information on the ballot question."

"Growing Greener is not only a good deal for our environment and our economy, it's a good deal for taxpayers too," said Oliver. "Gov. Rendell joined Leadership in the House and Senate in saying no new taxes or fees would be proposed to pay for the Growing Greener Programs."

To learn more and help spread the word about the Growing Greener question on the May 17 ballot, go to www.VoteGrowingGreener.org .

5/13/2005