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Growing Greener II
Passes PFBC to receive $27
million PGC to receive $20
million Growing Greener II
passed the legislature 180 - 18 after midnight and it is headed for the
Governor's signature...the legislation encompasses a plan for the spending of
the funds generated by the voter-approved referendum to float $625-million in
bonds for environmental improvement projects over the next six years. State Budget Passed The state budget
was passed by the State House shortly before The much maligned pay raise legislation was passed by both houses of the Legislature
shortly after 2 this morning...the legislation ties the pay of legislators,
judges and top state administrators to a percent of the salaries of like
positions in the federal government...for instance, the base pay of a State
House or Senate Member will be one-half the $162,000 annual pay of a US
Senator or Congressmen...with the action, Pennsylvania legislators will be
the second highest paid state lawmakers in the land significantly lagging
behind California's $111,000. The annual salary for the Governor and
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will be kicked up to $176,000...the
Governor's Cabinet officers will see the largest pay increase...anywhere from
$41-thousand to $19-thousand annually to about $153,000... Included in the
budget of $4.5-million, is money for the spraying to control the
pesky "black flies". Growing Greener Summary of Amendment
# A to House Bill 3 Amends Title 27 Pa.C.S.
(Environmental Resources) to implement $625 million environmental borrowing
approved by voters at May 2005 primary election. Borrowing
Authorized Authorizes the Commonwealth to borrow up
to $625 million over six years. Funds borrowed
shall be deposited into the Growing Greener Bond Fund. Governor shall submit annual allocation
plan for bond proceeds as part of annual budget. Allocation of
Bond Proceeds $230 million to Department of Environmental Protection for watershed
protection, acid mine drainage remediation and mine cleanup, oil and gas well
plugging, advanced energy projects, flood protection, geological hazard
mitigation and brownfields remediation. ·
At least $60 million for acid mine drainage abatement and mine cleanup. ·
Up to $10 million annually to PA Energy Development Authority for
advanced energy projects. ·
Up to $5 million annually to DCED for brownfields
remediation. $217.5 million to Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources for improvements to State park and State
forests, community park and recreation grants and open space preservation. ·
At least $100 million for improvements to State park and State forests. ·
$90 million for open space conservation. ·
Requires county approval prior to acquisition of additional State park
or State forest land, except interior lands of existing State park or State
forest lands. $80 million to Department of Agriculture
for farmland preservation. $50 million to Department of Community
and Economic Development for $27.5 million to Fish and Boat
Commission for capital improvements to existing lands and facilities. PFBC shall annually submit report detailing
the projects to be funded to respective Senate and House of Representatives
Game and Fisheries Committee. $20 million to Game Commission
for capital improvements to existing lands and facilities. PGC shall annually
submit report detailing the projects to be funded to respective Senate and
House of Representatives Game and Fisheries Committee. PGC may not utilize
funds received for additional land purchases. County
Environmental Initiatives $90 million from the amounts allocated to
various agencies shall be available for projects designated by counties. Each county shall be provided with annual
funding amount according to its class as determined by the Secretary of the
Budget. Counties shall consult with county conservation district to designate
projects eligible to be funded under DEP, DCNR, PDA and DCED allocations. Designated projects shall be reviewed by
applicable state agency to ensure compliance with all applicable laws,
regulations and procedures. Applicable state agency shall consider a
county’s recurring environmental and conservation funding levels to ensure
project supplements existing efforts. Within first six fiscal years of
effective date of act, each county shall receive the following amounts: ·
First, Second and Second-A Class - $2.7 million ·
Third Class - $1.75 million ·
Fourth and Fifth Class - $1.39 million ·
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Class - $1 million If county fails to designate projects in
amounts equal to annual funding allocation, remaining funds shall be
allocated to other eligible projects. Environmental
Stewardship Fund Requires utilization of up to $60 million
annually for debt and principal payments. Up to $20 million in FY ’05-’06 and $30
million in FY ’06-’07 to HSCA. Up to $10 million annually for historic preservation
tax credit/grant program (requires
enabling legislation). Up to $2.5 million annually to reimburse
General Fund for sales tax holiday for energy efficient appliances (requires enabling legislation). Adds “council of governments” as eligible
entity to receive moneys from ESF. Authorizes DEP to utilize ESF moneys to
develop state water plan (Act 220) as well as addressing regional priorities
in major watersheds and compliance with Raises administrative expense limitation
for DEP, DCNR and PENNVEST from 2% to 2.5% and for grant recipients
from 2% to 5%. Clarifies that $4/ton disposal fee
applies to municipalities or municipal authorities that operate disposal
facilities. Retroactive to May receive an annual transfer from the
Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund as determined by the Secretary of the
Budget. Such amount shall ensure
sufficient funds are retained to properly implement the Alternative Fuels
Incentive Act. Sunset on $4/ton disposal fee repealed (sunsets
Hazardous Sites
Cleanup Fund (HSCA) Up to $20 million in FY ’05-’06 and $30
million in FY ’06-’07 to HSCA. Reporting Requires each state department and agency
receiving funds to publish at least annually a report of all projects funded
by that department or agency. Such report shall also be made available on the
department or agency’s publicly accessible world wide website. Requires each county designating projects under county environmental initiative program to
publish at least annually a report of all projects. Such report shall also be
made available on the county’s publicly accessible world wide website. Repeals 27 Pa.C.S. §6304 (Sunset
on $4/ton disposal fee). 27 Pa.C.S. §6110 (Related
to environmental infrastructure grants). Act 2 of 1971 §602.3(a.1) (HSCA
trigger). |