Things are happening fast and furious here in Harrisburg as the legislature works towards a budget agreement.

And thanks to our supporters, we had a terrific week last week, with the adoption of two new regulations to protect our drinking water and our streams and rivers, and the House passage of new law to require computer and television manufacturers to arrange to have their products recycled.

This podcast features our President and CEO, Jan Jarrett, with an audio message to thank our supporters for their great work in helping achieve last week’s victories – and to talk about what to expect next.  We hope it will give you a feel of the work ahead – and how important your supporters are to continuing our winning streak.

So, hang on to your hat, it’s going to be a bumpy ride until the state budget is passed. We’ll be on the Hill 24/7, if necessary. And you’ll be hearing from us a lot, as we move our legislation to protect and promote Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. So please sign up for our alerts, and help us move forward – creating a just future when nature, communities and the economy thrive.

This podcast was recorded when PennFuture's Tanya Dierolf caught our Post-Election Forum featured speaker, Dr. Christopher Borick, Director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College's Political Science Department right after his presentation on Tuesday. Dr. Borick discussed what next year's results might look like, and whether the landscape is similar to the 1994 elections, when the Republicans took the House of Representatives under the leadership of Newt Gingrich.

Check out the schedule at PCN-TV to see Dr. Borick's entire presentation, and the legislative panel with Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-York), Senator David Argall (R-Schuylkill), Representative Bill Adolph (R-Delaware), and Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), as well as the journalists panel of Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire, Alex Roarty of Politics PA and Pennsylvania Legislative Services, Laura Vecsey of the Harrisburg Patriot-News and Tom Fitzgerald of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn't it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

Pennsylvania's great environmental leaders -- from Rachel Carson to Maurice Goddard to Gifford Pinchot and William Penn -- all had a passion for preserving our state's natural beauty. The same can be said about State Representative Dave Levdansky (D-Allegheny and Washington), whose heroic leadership in the General Assembly made the difference in stopping the legislature from allowing wholesale drilling for natural gas in our state forests.

This podcast features PennFuture’s President and CEO, Jan Jarrett, as she talks with Levdansky about his passion for protecting the forests and his support of the severance tax on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Levdansky now plans to create a  widespread conservation movement in the state, linking hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and environmental groups and their members, creating a strong citizens lobby for Penn's Woods.

You can put your passion to use, too, by joining PennFuture. PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

 

The proposed budget deal just announced includes a massive giveaway to huge, multi-national energy corporations that want full and immediate access to drill, baby, drill in our public forests and parks.

Greedy gas companies spent more than one million dollars lobbying state government this year, and it looks like it paid off. The state budget does not include a severance tax on natural gas drilling even though it injures Pennsylvania taxpayers. To add insult to injury, the budget deal also opens up state parks and forests to gas drillers. Because gas prices have fallen, gas leasing prices have also fallen, so now giant multi-national energy corporations will be able to make a sweetheart deal to lock up leases at bargain basement prices.

If our state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is forced to hold lease auctions in our state lands today, WE LOSE. This is an outrageous breech of the public trust and no way to balance the budget.

This is a taxpayer rip off – listen to PennFuture’s President and CEO Jan Jarrett describe the anatomy of this rip off.

Then, take action by urging your elected officials to dump this bad deal.

Multi-billion dollar energy companies have spent $1 million in lobbying money in Pennsylvania this year to try to stop legislators from enacting a severance tax on natural gas extraction. Their money appears to be working, as the state budget negotiations are going forward without a severance tax on the massive Marcellus Shale reserves.

These companies stand to make billions off of our natural resources, and yet Pennsylvania remains the only state with large operations that does not charge a severance tax.  These fees can help to cover costs for damaged roads and bridges, contaminated drinking water and other environmental regulations. Instead, the legislature would foist those costs onto Pennsylvania taxpayers rather than force industry to clean up its own mess.

This podcast features PennFuture's President and CEO Jan Jarrett eloquently making the case for a tax on Marcellus Shale drilling.

Take action today. Tell Harrisburg enough is enough. Demand a severance tax -- that could bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the state coffers each year -- be included in budget negotiations.

On March 24, a coalition of environmental, conservation, preservation, housing, and research groups, along with elected officials, held a press conference  in Harrisburg to outline their proposals to build jobs and promote great and green communities and government accountability. The campaign, Pennsylvania Works!, will work to create public policy that puts Pennsylvanians to work and builds a resilient, robust and green economy for all.

This podcast features the state elected officials and leaders of the campaign, detailing their plans to guarantee that Pennsylvania Works! for all.

On Thursday, November 6, 2008, PennFuture's Post-Election Forum took place in Harrisburg.  The Forum included panels of journalists and elected officials of both parties, with a luncheon speech by pollster and political expert Dr. Terry Madonna.

This podcast features an interview by PennFuture's Tanya Dierolf with Madonna. Dierolf asks Madonna specific questions about what to expect from the upcoming Obama Administration, and what he thinks will happen on global warming, other environmental issues, and energy.

PennFuture members get reduced or free entry to our events, and the first opportunity to reserve seats for our many sold out events.  Become a PennFuture member today and start enjoying the perks of membership.

On Thursday, November 6, 2008, PennFuture's Post-Election Forum took place in Harrisburg.  The Forum included panels of journalists and elected officials of both parties, with a luncheon speech by pollster and political expert Dr. Terry Madonna.

This podcast includes both Madonna's formal presentation and the questions that followed. Madonna's insights are always extraordinarily valuable, as he discusses whether the 2008 election results are part of a longer trend by Pennsylvania voters.

PennFuture members get reduced or free entry to our events, and the first opportunity to reserve seats for our many sold out events.  Become a PennFuture member today and start enjoying the perks of membership.

(Note: This video takes about one minute to download.)

On July 10, 2008 the world learned that Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty would be leaving her position. Just before she was due to attend her agency's farewell party for her, McGinty agreed to sit down for an "exit interview."

In this podcast, hear PennFuture's Jan Jarrett's discussion with McGinty, in which she reflected on her nearly six year tenure heading up DEP.  McGinty talks about her environmental philosophy -- that a good environment is vital to a good economy; what she considers her greatest achievements while in office; her bruising confirmation process, in which her public service in the White House was considered a detriment by some; her advice to those who come after; and her need for a vacation!

PennFuture has worked with McGinty on a number of issues from creating and nurturing the green energy market to giving Pennsylvanians access to the cleanest cars available to protecting babies from mercury pollution from outdated power plants to biofuels, environmental law enforcement and much more.  She also made it possible for Al Gore to appear at PennFuture's 10th Anniversary Gala (where she joined in the dancing with her daughters -- see photo above).

In our press release, John Hanger, president and CEO of PennFuture praised McGinty.

“The saying goes, ‘The cock crows, but the hen delivers. And as the first woman ever appointed secretary of environmental protection, McGinty delivered – big time. Thanks to her insistence that environmental laws must be obeyed by enforcing those laws, and to her vision of bringing Pennsylvania into the dynamic green economy, Pennsylvania is a cleaner and brighter place to live, work and play. She has our undying thanks for her amazing public service, and we hope she will return to public service in the not too distant future.”

Sometimes the best part of any presentation is the unscripted part – the question and answer session. Click to hear the pas de deux between Hanger and the committee members.  

The fight for the 21st Century energy policy continues in Harrisburg.

This podcast features PennFuture's president and CEO, John Hanger, who testified before the House Consumer Affairs Committee on Thursday, January 31, 2008 about the need to give Pennsylvanians the tools they need to use energy smarter.

The hearings were called to consider two pieces of legislation. House Bill 2200, sponsored by Rep. Camille “Bud�? George (D-Clearfield), builds on the leadership and ideas of Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) by creating energy conservation programs in the service territories of all electric distribution companies. HB 2201/SHB 20, sponsored by Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon), includes a requirement for smart meters.

These bills are critical to reducing energy demand in Pennsylvania, thereby saving citizens money and energy, eliminating the need to build at least 12 new 300-megawatt power plants and hundreds of miles of new transmission lines, and cutting air pollution and heat-trapping gases.

These bills are expected to be voted on by the Consumer Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February 5. Visit our website to learn more about the Energy Independence Strategy and how you can make a difference.

Senate Bill 1025, which would kill the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program, remains on the Senate calendar for the week beginning February 6. The earliest that the bill could be voted is Tuesday. We know from conversations in the Capitol that senators – especially in southeastern Pennsylvania – have been receiving a steady flow of faxes, e-mails, letters and phone calls from constituents telling them to oppose this harmful legislation. The work of citizens from across the state is greatly appreciated by PennFuture and the other public health and environmental organizations supporting the Clean Vehicles Program. Keep it up—you are making a difference!

The House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday on legislation (House Bill 1902) that will eliminate the expiration date of Pennsylvania’s recycling program, making the program permanent. Under current law, the fee on municipal solid waste that funds the recycling program is due to expire on January 1, 2009. House Bill 1902 is sponsored by Rep. Carole Rubley (R-Chester and Montgomery). PennFuture supports this legislation.

Governor Rendell will present his annual budget address to the General Assembly on Wednesday. The address was pushed back a day in anticipation of what will hopefully be a raucous victory parade for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. Tune to Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) to watch Governor Rendell’s budget address live at 11:30 AM on Wednesday. PCN coverage of the address will begin at 10:30 AM, and continue afterward with reactions from legislative leaders. Visit www.pcntv.com/2_03_06.htm for more information on PCN’s coverage. You can also watch the address online at www.pcntv.com.

Legislative Update

The General Assembly returns to Harrisburg today, and both the House and the Senate will be in session the next four weeks. Typically, both chambers are in voting session on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during these weeks. Today is a “non-voting�? session day in the House. This means that bills can be moved up on the House calendar by having them formally “read�? or “considered�? in the chamber in a pro forma session. A bill must be read or considered on three different days in order to be voted by the House or the Senate.

Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program

The Senate Transportation Committee is expected to vote on Senate Bill 1025 this Wednesday morning, January 25. Senate Bill 1025, which PennFuture strongly opposes, would eliminate the ability of Pennsylvania to adopt provisions of the Clean Vehicles Program that are stronger than federal standards. If the committee passes Senate Bill 1025, and the bill receives first consideration on the Senate floor that afternoon, it could come up for a vote in the full Senate as early as Tuesday, January 31.

House Bill 2141, which is similar to Senate Bill 1025, was removed from the floor of the House and referred back to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in December. The committee will hold a hearing on the legislation on Wednesday, February 8.

Full implemention of the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program is imperative. This program will clean our air, protect public health, save consumers money over the life of their vehicles due to better gas mileage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by at least 25 percent when the program is fully implemented.

Give your state senator a call TODAY and urge her/him to keep Pennsylvania’s Clean Vehicles Program. For information about contacting your senator, click here

Budget Process to Start on February 7

Governor Rendell will present his annual budget address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, February 7. The speech will outline the Governor’s spending and policy priorities for the state’s fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2006, and ends on June 30, 2007.

A detailed spending blueprint proposed by the governor will be submitted to the General Assembly. In February and March, the Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate will hold hearings on the budget and its impact on various state departments and agencies. 

Long nights, short tempers, and marathon negotiating sessions over taxes and spending often mark the last of week of June. Last year’s budget was not completed until the first week of July.

-- Steve Stroman, PennFuture