Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
PA Recreation & Park Society Opposes Diversion Of Millions Dedicated To Local Recreation Project Funding To Pay Agency Expenses; Issues Call To Action
Photo

On February 12, the PA Recreation and Park Society sent out this Action Alert to its members and the public urging them to oppose Gov. Wolf’s diversion of tens of millions of dollars of dedicated recreation project funding to pay agency expenses.

The text of the alert follows--

The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) opposes Governor Wolf's proposal to divert tens of millions of dollars of dedicated state funding for park and recreation projects in order to fund general governmental operations.

General government operations have been traditionally-and properly-paid for out of the General Fund budget.

PRPS is the principal statewide association providing professional development, leadership, advocacy and resources for those working and volunteering in the parks and recreation field.

We are an active and longstanding member of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition that has advocated for and defended dedicated funding for park and recreation projects.

Polling has shown that this dedicated funding is consistently and overwhelmingly popular with the citizens of the Commonwealth.

The General Assembly created the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Keystone Fund) and the Environmental Stewardship Fund to provide a consistent, dedicated stream of income for a wide range of conservation and environmental purposes.

The General Assembly and previous governors also supported dedicated revenue streams for these projects, so that project funding was long-term, consistent, and not held hostage to the whims of the annual debate over the General Fund budget.

The Keystone Fund and Environmental Stewardship Fund monies are often used to fund multi-year projects such as the construction of park and trail projects. These projects generally have matching funds from local governments and a wide range of partners in the local community.

Every dollar in state grants leverages at least one dollar in local matching investments, and often more.

By diverting funds from these programs and multiyear projects, the Commonwealth would be retreating from its commitment to our communities and setting a dangerous precedent. 

Budget proposals reflect many things, but they are fundamentally about priorities. We urge the General Assembly to maintain its previous commitment to dedicated funding for these important park and recreation projects, and to properly fund government operations out of the General Fund budget.

Call to Action

1. Call or email your Representative and Senator NOW to urge them to OPPOSE the proposal to  transfer funds from the dedicated funds for governmental operations. Click here to find your legislator.

2. Take to your social media channels to spread the message that these funds must remain protected for their dedicated purposes. Tag your legislators; use the hashtag #PABudget.

Click Here for a copy of the Action Alert.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and training opportunities, visit the PA Recreation and Park Society website.  Like them on Facebook,  Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, and find them on InstagramClick Here to support their work.

NewsClips:

Lawmakers Question Special Fund Transfers To Fund DEP, DCNR

Caruso: Lawmakers Question Wolf Administration Plan To Fund Environmental Agencies

Related Stories:

Growing Greener Coalition Opposes Using Community Environmental Project Funds For Agency Operating Costs; Issues Call To Action

Gov. Wolf Proposes To Shift $75.7 Million From Environmental Funds To Pay Operating Costs Instead of Funding Community-Based Projects

PaEN: DEP Secretary Promotes Restore PA Bond Proposal To Get More Funding For Environmental Improvement Projects

PaEN: DCNR Touts Restore PA Bond Proposal As The Only Plan That Can Truly Address State’s Infrastructure Needs

WPCAMR Abandoned Mine Post: Growing Greener May Lose From Governor's Proposed Budget

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Urges Support For INCREASED Funding For Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund

CBF-PA Sees 2019-20 State Budget As Key To Meeting Pennsylvania's Clean Water Commitments

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council Urges Gov. Wolf to Rebalance DEP’s Legal Mandates And Fiscal Resources

Gov. Wolf Proposes A $4.5 Billion, 4-Year Restore Pennsylvania Community & Environmental Infrastructure Investment Program

[Posted: Feb. 13, 2019]


2/18/2019

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page