PA Environment Digest

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Local Government Leaders Join Gov. Wolf At Rally For Restore Pennsylvania

On May 15, Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor John Fetterman were joined by state, county, and local government leaders from across the Commonwealth to rally for Restore Pennsylvania.

Leaders called on the General Assembly to support the aggressive infrastructure plan, citing the need for resources to expand broadband access to every Pennsylvanian, combat blight, prevent flooding, expand green infrastructure, and provide opportunities to build a modern, interconnected Commonwealth.

“For the past four months I’ve been traveling across Pennsylvania speaking directly to the community leaders, business owners, and residents who desperately need Restore Pennsylvania,” said Gov. Wolf. “Today, I’m proud to stand with many of those individuals to rally in support of the only infrastructure plan that can make our commonwealth a leader in the 21st century. I am calling upon the legislature to do what’s right for the people of Pennsylvania by investing in them, and in our shared future, by supporting Restore Pennsylvania.”

More than 70 local leaders, including representatives of townships, boroughs, cities, counties, sewer and water authorities, emergency management agencies, code enforcement offices and municipal organizations stood behind Gov. Wolf has he called upon the General Assembly to support Restore Pennsylvania.

“Through my experience as mayor of a small town, I know firsthand what Restore Pennsylvania can do for towns all across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov. John Fetterman. “These are the sorts of projects that people in Braddock and beyond want to see completed on a local level, because they’re projects that will have a tangible and meaningful impact on their lives, every day.”

Gov. Wolf developed Restore Pennsylvania after taking note of infrastructure issues plaguing communities of all types and sizes across the Commonwealth.

The five infrastructure areas targeted by Restore Pennsylvania are unfunded or underfunded by current budgeting mechanisms and include high speed internet access, storm preparedness and disaster recovery, downstream manufacturing, business development, and energy infrastructure, demolition, revitalization, and renewal, and transportation capital projects.

Driven by local input about community needs, Restore Pennsylvania will assist communities with upgrading infrastructure, improving business climates, and increasing livability.

Projects identified by local stakeholders will be evaluated through a competitive process to ensure that high priority, high impact projects are funded and needs across Pennsylvania are met.

Funded through a commonsense severance tax that the Independent Fiscal Office has determined will be primarily paid for by out-of-state residents, Restore Pennsylvania is the only plan that will help make Pennsylvania a leader in the 21st century.

Click Here to learn more about the environmental benefits of Restore PA.

[Note: Gov. Wolf also proposed to take $75.5 million out of environmental funds like the Recycling Fund, Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and DCNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund to pay for the operating expenses of DEP and DCNR instead of community-based environmental improvement and recreation projects.]

NewsClips:

Caruso: Wolf Makes Closing Pitch For Restore PA Ahead Of Budget Season Start

Murphy: Wolf Summons Army Of Municipal Leaders To Show Support For Restore PA

Meyer: Wolf Still Trying To Sell Republican Lawmakers On Lofty Infrastructure Plan

Severance Tax Plan, Lawsuit On Luzerne County Council Agenda

Wolf: Southcentral PA Leaders Back Restore PA Infrastructure Plan

DEP Tours Fishing Creek Watershed, Columbia County To Discuss Benefits Of Restore PA

DCNR Tours Norristown To Discuss Benefits Of Restore PA

PA Chamber Says Restore PA Initiative Could Threaten State’s Competitiveness

Op-Ed: Why A Severance Tax Would Not Scare Away Natural Gas Jobs - DCED Secretary Davin

Op-Ed: Secretary Wrong About Natural Gas Severance Tax

Op-Ed: Building On Agriculture’s Culture Of Stewardship - Ag Secretary Russell Redding