Of bad ideas in Harrisburg

To the Times: Despite all the frenzy in Harrisburg, there are two things we know for certain at this time with respect to the state budget. First, there have been no solutions identified to address our long-term structural deficit. And second, that hasn’t stopped legislators in Harrisburg from trying to advance all sorts of bad ideas in the interim.

In late July, the Senate passed two budget bills that were riddled with riders that drastically curtail the ability of the Department of Environmental Protection to perform its core permitting responsibilities, particularly with respect to the oil and gas industry. That is on top of other provisions that placed additional limitations on certain water quality protection criteria. And now the House has followed suit with its own legislation that includes the largest single cut to environmental, recreation, agriculture, and energy funding in state history by diverting special fund revenues to temporarily mask the state’s General Fund deficit. Some of these funds were dedicated for conservation purposes by the overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania voters through ballot referendum.

Here in Delaware County, these funds are currently committed to valuable projects to improve community parks and build trails. These popular amenities support children, families and senior citizens by providing free, safe recreational amenities, and access to the outdoors. Threatened projects include: Veterans Park in Marple Township; Concord Township Park; planning for the extension of the Chester Creek Trail; and critical matching funds that would leverage federal funds for an extension of the hugely popular Radnor Trail. Some park development projects already underway would see dollars committed for completion evaporate due to this ill-considered diversion of funds.

There appears to be a glaring disconnect in Harrisburg. Instead of working toward real budget solutions, some corners of the General Assembly are using this opportunity to target environmental programs and protections, trying to undo decades of public and private partnership, progress, and investment. Communities across Pennsylvania, especially here in Delaware County, have made huge strides and have realized economic and employment growth from this progress.

Without question, the governor and General Assembly have an incredibly difficult task in righting a state budget that is terribly off course. But for now, all we see are steps backwards. This is not the representation we seek.

How our elected officials proceed at this point will either help advance a better future for all Pennsylvanians, or perpetuate the recurring stalemate and structural deficit that represent the true limit on progress and partnership in our state.