The House this week took steps to put another Fiscal Code bill on the Governor’s desk-- House Bill 1589 (Causer-R-Cameron) that includes many of the provisions vetoed by Gov. Wolf in the last Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1327 (Peifer-R-Pike).

The environmental provisions in the bill includes a $15 million reduction in funding for the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund, takes $12 million from CFA’s High Performance Buildings Program and transfers it to fund a new program to expand access to natural gas infrastructure, earmarks existing DCNR funding for the operation of Washington Crossing Historical Park and directs funding to sewer and drinking water projects for specific legislators.

It does NOT include the previous provisions delaying Pennsylvania’s plan to meet the Clean Power Climate Plan rule or killing DEP’s final conventional oil and gas drilling regulations.

Interestingly, during consideration of this Fiscal Code bill, the Speaker of the House ruled several proposed amendments to the bill out of order because they violated the single subject rule, something environmental and other groups have pointed out.

Wednesday the House passed House Bill 1589 by a vote of 176 to 11.  The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled an off the floor meeting April 11 to consider the bill.

 A House Fiscal Note and summary is available.

NewsClips:

Editorial: Restore DEP’s Budget To Protect Environment

PLS Reporter: Game Commission Makes Case For License Increase

PLS Reporter: Fish Commission Makes Case For Different Funding Plan

PLS Reporter: House GOP Leaders: 2016-17 Budget Discussions In Infancy

PLS Reporter: House Rs Working On All Fiscal Code Issues Wolf Vetoed

PA Dems: Governor Punishing Us For Supporting GOP Budget

Esack: Wolf Angers GOP With Ed Funding Formula

Op-Ed: PA’s Budget Deficit Is A Ticking Time Bomb

Harrisburg GOP Begins Budget Strategizing

Column: Rep. Roae Offers Colorful Ideas For PA Budget

4/11/2016